Ancelotti slams player power Real Madrid rumours
Carlo Ancelotti believes suggestions Real Madrid players make it hard for new managers are "absolutely b*******".
There has been plenty of drama at Madrid in recent weeks, highlighted by a training ground incident between team-mates Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde.
Alvaro Carreras was also said to be involved in a scuffle with Antonio Rudiger, while Kylian Mbappe's attitude while injured was criticised.
A chaotic week for Los Blancos concluded with a defeat to Clasico rival Barcelona on Monday, a result which saw Hansi Flick's side secure the league title.
Madrid has now failed to win a trophy in each of the last two seasons, while manager Alvaro Arbeloa is set to be replaced by Jose Mourinho for the 2026-2027 season.
Arbeloa succeeded Xabi Alonso in the role, with the former Bayer Leverkusen boss struggling to implement his tactics at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Despite reports suggesting Alonso, and now Arbeloa, have failed to control the dressing room, Ancelotti believes the Madrid players do not overstep their position in the hierarchy.
"It [makes it sound like] that players at Real Madrid do what they want. It’s not true. Absolutely b*******. It is absolutely b*******," Ancelotti told The Athletic when asked if managers with new tactical ideas struggle at Madrid due to players wanting more freedom.
"Not true! The players, when I was there, I had an idea and tried to discuss this idea with the players, and I would see if they agreed or not. We even did this in the final of the Champions League.
"When I have an idea, the player has to be part of this idea. I don’t want to impose strategy. But that does not mean that we do not have a strategy.
"To talk with players is not a weakness. It’s just to do a really important action because I have to transmit my idea of football to the players.
"I don’t want soldiers on the pitch. I want players that are convinced of what to do on the pitch."
