Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has remarked that he “really likes his job” and “still has fun” after almost 20 years in top-level management.
The Italian has recently come in for criticism, amid suggestions that his coaching style was too lenient in light of Los Blancos’ poor form, but he insists his players are continuing to reap the rewards of his methods.
“I’m just a Coach who really likes his job, who still has fun, and who tries to have a good, close relationship with his players,” he explained in an interview with FIFA.com.
“[I’m] someone who, by working alongside them, aims to achieve the goals the club expects of us.
“It isn’t hard [to have fun with your players]. Over the course of my career I’ve worked at the very highest levels with the most responsible and professional players around.
“I’d say that the higher the level [they play at], the more responsible and professional they are. That makes everything pretty simple, especially at Real Madrid.
“Here I’ve found a group of very focused, very motivated players, who work well as a team. They get on really well with each other and that makes everything more straightforward.
“I think that in football, at this moment in time, the mental side of the game is most important. It’s vital to keep everyone in the squad motivated, even those who aren’t playing.
“Then comes the tactical side too, building a team that puts the idea of playing as a unit, as a group, first, and then comes convincing great players that they need to harness their individual qualities for the good of the team.
“For a Coach, the most important thing is the relationship he can forge with his players. You might come in with your ideas in mind, but then it comes down to them to put them into practice on the pitch.
“If you’ve a good relationship, then footballers take on board your ideas more easily. So, that’s the hardest part.
“Then of course, at Real Madrid you have to win, at PSG you have to win… but it’s also the case that every team has its objectives: whether it’s avoiding relegation or winning the European Cup.
“That’s why I feel that, whatever level you’re at, Coaches all face similar problems.”
