A report in France has claimed that Paris Saint-Germain boss Carlo Ancelotti was Sir Alex Ferguson's first choice to replace him at Manchester United.
Ferguson has announced his decision to retire at the end of the season following a 26-year spell in charge at Old Trafford, which has yielded 38 trophies.
Everton manager David Moyes has been confirmed as his fellow Scot's successor, but French newspaper Le Parisien reports that first Ancelotti declined Ferguson's request to replace him at United.
Julien Laurens, a football journalist for the publication, wrote on Twitter: "Very reliable sources tell Le Parisien that Sir Alex Ferguson called Carlo Ancelotti last week to ask him to succeed him.
"He was surprised and flattered but politely declined the offer. So Sir Alex Ferguson then turned to second choice David Moyes."
Ancelotti recently won the Ligue 1 title with big-spending PSG and is being courted by Real Madrid, who are targeting the Italian to replace potentially Chelsea-bound Jose Mourinho.
Robert Summerscales
