Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
Jose Mourinho is Real Madrid’s desperate attempt to bring the team back on track after two trophy-less seasons.
Last year, the team failed to win any silverware and saw two young managers arrive with radical ideas and eventually fail to bring out success.
The year before that, it was Carlo Ancelotti who failed to bring home silverware and eventually left the club to take up a role in the Brazilian national team.
Davide Ancelotti praises Mourinho
Carlo Ancelotti’s son Davide Ancelotti recently spoke out in a detailed conversation with AS, where he backed Jose Mourinho’s appointment and explained the rationale behind the club’s decision.
Jose Mourinho, Manager of Real Madrid
Davide Ancelotti has backed Mourinho. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
“Yes. Recent Madrid history shows why Mourinho is the ideal coach at this moment,” he began, backing the appointment.
“He is in love with Madrid and has an enormous amount of motivation. It’s something I experienced with my father. At this stage of their careers, having this opportunity is like getting to live it all over again,” he added.
Davide Ancelotti also spoke on how the manager’s desire would inevitably transfer to players and why the appointment makes sense.
“And that enthusiasm will spread to the players. I think yes, he is the ideal coach at this moment.”
Davide Ancelotti is inspired by Mourinho
Elaborating on the impact the new Real Madrid manager had on his career as a professional coach, he added,
“Of course. I even interviewed Mourinho for my coaching course. He has always been very kind and affectionate with me, even when we have met as opponents. He has always had a kind word for me.”
“He is part of football history too, alongside my father. He won his first Champions League 20 years ago. Nobody gives you anything in this profession. That’s clear,” he added.
Arda Guler and Jose Mourinho of Real Madrid
Mourinho and Davide Ancelotti have similar beginnings. (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images)
Speaking on Mourinho’s coaching journey, Davide Ancelotti likened it to his personal journey so far.
“Sometimes I see myself reflected in him. Like him, I didn’t have a great professional playing career. I also studied Physical Education.”
On Mourinho’s methods
“Mourinho’s methodology was something very innovative when he started, particularly in terms of training. And that has to be recognised,” he added.
He also credited Mourinho for ‘changing’ the sport, stating,
“In his own way, he changed football. And I’m talking about football, not his personality. Everyone already knows about that. He is a winner.”
Finally, he was asked about his father and where Carlo Ancelotti sat in terms of the greatest managers in the sport.
“There is no doubt. After everything he has achieved, he is at the very top. He is a reference point in the profession. There is no debate.”
Davide Ancelotti explains what Real Madrid lost with Toni Kroos’ departure: ‘Something you will never get back’
Davide Ancelotti, Lille manager
Photo by Wagner Meier/Getty Images
Real Madrid continue to have some of the biggest midfield names in the world in the form of Jude Bellingham, Bernardo Silva, Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni.
Yet, it is clear that there still is a lacuna that needs to be filled – a creative controlling presence who can bring order to the field.
In the past, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric would combine with ease and execute both elements of the game to perfection. Since their departures, however, the club has clearly lacked control and creative output in critical game states.
Davide Ancelotti praises Kroos
In an elaborate interview with AS recently, former Real Madrid assistant manager Davide Ancelotti opened up on how a lot has changed at the club since the midfield stalwarts left the club.
“I don’t want everything I say about Madrid to be interpreted as criticism, but when Modrić or Kroos were there, every movement into space was followed by a ball arriving there,” he began cautiously.
He then spoke on the difference between the current crop of players and the likes of Kroos and Modric who defined an era for the club.
“I’m not saying that the footballers they have now don’t have that ability. What I’m saying is that, to play vertically, you need someone who knows how to deliver the ball.”
“Being vertical doesn’t mean having eight runners. It also means having someone who can launch them. It’s a style of play,” he added.
Davide Ancelotti worked closely with Kroos. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Ancelotti was then asked what Real Madrid lost when Kroos retired from the game, to which he said,
“You lose something that you will never get back. The best player in the world in his position. You can’t say, ‘I need another Kroos,’ because there isn’t another one.”
Praising Kroos for his ability to control the game, change its tempo and keep matters under control irrespective of the situation, the manager said,
“He was the owner of the match. He controlled the tempo. The game was played at the rhythm he wanted. He decided things, and he was fundamental because he managed the pace of the match.”
“And on top of that, he ran. He was a player who covered 11 kilometres per match. He knew how to defend and had a strong tactical understanding. I loved him when he played as a number 6. I really loved it,” he added.
When asked if Kroos preferred playing as a number six or a number eight, Ancelotti said,
“He didn’t particularly like going after second balls or getting involved in duels. He preferred playing as an 8 because he left the dirty work to the 6.”
What Real Madrid lost
Carlo Ancelotti’s son then made it clear that the loss of Kroos was too much for Los Blancos to handle.
Real Madrid are yet to recover from Toni Kroos’ departure. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
“Inevitably, for the way Real Madrid played, losing Toni was extremely difficult. Suddenly, they lost so many things.”
Finally, he stated how he remained on good terms with the club legends and how Kroos even played a role in shaping his journey as a manager.
“[I’m on good terms] with everyone, with everyone. With Modrić too. But yes, I talked a lot about football with Toni because he’s a very intelligent guy.”
“He challenges you and makes you think. He always has an interesting point of view about things. He made you better as a coach. It was a shame that he left,” he added.
Towards the end of the segment, the manager was asked if Rodri was the closest profile Real Madrid could have signed to replace Kroos.
“Yes. Rodri would fit anywhere. He is a special player”
“You shouldn’t go looking for a copy of Toni. Madrid will find its balance. With Rodri or without him, they will be competitive until the end, as always. In the end, when it matters, Madrid is always there,” he concluded.