Ancelotti gives full backing to Mourinho’s Real Madrid return: ‘Can do a fantastic job’

Ancelotti gives full backing to Mourinho’s Real Madrid return: ‘Can do a fantastic job’

Carlo Ancelotti has publicly backed the possible return of Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid while also defending the mentality and professionalism of the club’s dressing room.

Now managing the Brazil national football team, Ancelotti spoke to The Athletic about several topics related to his time at Real Madrid, including criticism often directed at the players.

During the interview, Ancelotti strongly dismissed suggestions that the Real Madrid players lack discipline or ignore tactical instructions from the coaching staff.

“It gives the impression that Real Madrid’s players do whatever they want. That’s not true. It’s complete nonsense. That’s not true!

“The players… when I was there, I had an idea, and I tried to discuss it with them to see if they agreed or not. We even did that in the Champions League final.”

His management of the Madrid squad

The former Real Madrid coach also explained that communication and collaboration with players formed an important part of his management style during his time at the Santiago Bernabeu.

“When I have an idea, the player has to be part of it. I don’t want to impose a strategy. But that doesn’t mean we don’t have a strategy.”

He then defended the tactical structure behind Real Madrid’s recent success, adding,

“We had a strategy, and a solid one, because we won two Champions Leagues in four years, and the players were very focused on following it and sticking to the plan.

“The idea that Real Madrid don’t want to follow a strategy isn’t true.”