Real Madrid sack Ancelotti
The Italian coach, who guided the club to their
10th Champions League crown last season, has
paid the price for a poor second half of the season
May 25, 2015 19:16:00
Real Madrid have announced
they have sacked Carlo
Ancelotti as head coach.
The Italian coach has been
widely expected to leave the
Santiago Bernabeu this summer
after a disappointing end to the 2014-15 season, which saw
Madrid lose out to Barcelona in the Liga title race and exit
the Champions League at the semi-final stage at the hands
of Juventus.
The reigning European champions have now confirmed they
have parted ways with the man who delivered La Decima to
the club.
Madrid president Florentino Perez said: "I want to tell you
that we have decided to relieve Carlo Ancelotti of his duties
as Real Madrid coach. It’s been a very difficult decision for
the board but as I always say, we haven’t come here to
take the easy decisions but the best decisions for the
institution. "Carlo Ancelotti in these two years, has won the
affection of the board and my personal affection and that of
the fans. Carlo is part of our history. But as we all know, in
Madrid the demands are great. We think it’s time for a new
impulse which can allow us to win new titles and achieve
our maximal level of competitiveness.
"With our great team, talent and hard work we can give
satisfaction and success to our fans. I want to thank Carlo
for his hard work in the last two years and tell him this is
still is house and home. Next week we will know the name
of the new coach of Real Madrid.
When asked about the possible candidates for the job,
Perez added: "It would be good if the new manager spoke
Spanish."
Ancelotti delivered four trophies at Madrid in a remarkable
2014, as the Blancos won the Copa del Rey, Champions
League, European Super Cup and Club World Cup.
The former Paris Saint-Germain boss has been linked with
a return to AC Milan, where he won Serie A and two
Champions League titles, with Rossoneri CEO Adriano
Galliani heading to the Spanish capital to meet with
Ancelotti. Rumours in England also linked West Ham with a
shock approach for the former midfielder.
However, the 55-year-old confirmed after Madrid's 7-3
thrashing of Getafe that he intends to take a year's
sabbatical from the game in order to undergo surgery on a
nervous complaint .
Napoli boss Rafa Benitez is the favourite to succeed
Ancelotti at Santiago Bernabeu.