Carlo Ancelotti has spoken about the departures of Angel Di Maria, Xabi Alonso and Diego Lopez from Real Madrid this summer.
In an interview with Radio Cope’s ‘El Partido de los 12 programme’, the Italian gave his own version of why the three were allowed to leave the Santiago Bernabeu before the start of the season.
“In Di Maria’s case he was asking for a lot of money and preferred to go so he could earn more. I agreed with the club because sometimes you’ve just got to say no.
“They call me the club Coach and that’s what I am. I coach for the club and not the players.
“Xabi was different in that he asked to go. He felt a little tired and because of the respect we hold him in we let him leave as we had good options with [Toni] Kroos and James [Rodriguez].
“Kroos can do what Xabi did, I’m sure. He hasn’t let us down.
“With Diego Lopez he went because he chose to. Nobody asked him to leave,” explained Ancelotti, who was then asked about his best central defensive pairing.
“It’s very hard to select two central defenders because we have three of the best in the world [in Raphael Varane, Sergio Ramos and Pepe], but they are all going to play.
“Varane has his future at Real Madrid in his own hands, while Pepe is Pepe. I don’t remember any mistakes by him and he hasn’t lost his head this season,” he replied.
