Real Madrid may have decided to sack Carlo Ancelotti at the end of the season as early as January after president Florentino Perez grew frustrated with the Italian’s treatment of Gareth Bale, according to reports from Spain.
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Spanish newspaper AS report that Florentino Perez explained to the club’s board of directors that they had opted to sack the former Chelsea boss due to a ‘loss of confidence’.
Afterwards, however, the Blancos president was questioned by one of the directors over how a manager who delivered La Decima in his first season at the Santiago Bernabeu could have his ability doubted, he revealed that his handling of the under-fire Welsh winger was key in the dismissal.
The newspaper state that the Real chief was left unimpressed when Ancelotti chose to substitute the world-recordsigning in their 2-1 La Liga defeat to Valencia at the Estadio de Mestalla on Sunday 4 January. The Wales international was replaced by Jese Rodriguez in the 71st minute – and Perez did not agree with the decision.
According to AS, Ancelotti’s decision to substitute the former Tottenham Hotspur forward – described by Perez as a ‘strategic player’ – when the club were fighting for a victory, was the defining moment in his ultimate loss of confidence in the Italian coach.
Gareth Bale has been linked with an exit from Madrid after a season in which Real supporters have vented their frustration over his performances. Manchester United [via International Business Times] were said to have been preparing an offer in the summer transfer window for his signature, but the winger looks set to remain at the Santiago Bernabeu. Not only has Rafael Benitez, according to IBT, informed his No.11 that he is integral to his future plans, but it appears almost certain that Perez would not agree to a sale.
In the report from AS, the Spanish newspaper revealed that the 68-year-old told Ancelotti: ‘To remove Bale is to attack me’.
It appears Ancelotti needs a pause after being sacked by Real.
At the end of May, the former Paris Saint-Germain manager met with AC Milan chiefs [via Sky Sports] over a potential return to the San Siro following his Madrid sacking; however, his wife revealed that her husband will be taking a break from the game to ‘recharge his batteries’ [via The Guardian].