Carlo Ancelotti has been told he cannot sit on the Real Madrid bench until he sits an exam.
According to Corriere dello Sport, via Football Italia, the experienced Italian manager's coaching licence expired on New Year's Eve (31 December 2021).
As a result, UEFA, European football's governing body, have written to Ancelotti and informed him he needs to pass an exam before his badges are renewed.
Effectively, their view is that Ancelotti cannot officially manage Real again until he has completed the test.
But it's said that the Spanish Federation do not share that opinion and have replied to UEFA in a polite manner stressing they feel it is wrong for one of the most successful coaches to have to partake in the process.
Ancelotti started out his managerial career with Reggiana all the way back in 1995 and has gone on to manage 1200 games across Italy, England, France, Spain and Germany with the likes of Juventus, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Bayern Munich.
The 62-year-old has won a total of 21 trophies, including three Champions League trophies and domestic titles in Italy, England, France, Spain, and Germany.
He left Everton in the summer to embark on a second spell at Real after Zinedine Zidane, his former assistant, left his post for the second time.
Real are currently four points clear at the top of La Liga after 22 games and will take on Ancelotti's former club Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League round of 16 next month after topping their group.
Featured Image Credit: Image: PA & UEFATopics: Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid, UEFA, La Liga