In his book, “Quite Leadership: Winning Hearts, Minds and Matches”, Ancelotti revealed that during his time at Los Blancos, president Florentino Perez pressured him to use Gareth Bale in a central attacking role, following input from the Welsh star’s agent, Jonathan Barnet.
Advertisement
“I expect and want to win because I have never managed a victory there with Chelsea or Real”, Ancelotti continued. Our team was more solid during the second season, but we lost five starters when we played Atletico and that cost us. I talk to the players directly.
‘I do not speak to agents, ‘ said Ancelotti.
Carlo Ancelotti faced a tall order in filling the post vacated by Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich, but Douglas Costa already sees positives. ‘They are not part of my profession in my opinion. And I hope the players also approach me when there are problems rather than send their agent’.
Not many managers can claim to have coached some of the biggest clubs in Spain, Italy, England, France and Germany.
‘But fans come to the stadium to watch the players.
A three-time Champions League victor, he has every right to speak his mind about the extent to which agents are now running the game he loves.
“I have a lot of respect for Atletico and Barcelona, but I can’t train them because I’ve coached Real Madrid for two years”.
Advertisement
Ancelotti has spent a combined £58million to take former Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels and Renato Sanches, the teenage Portuguese superstar, to his new club this summer.
