Real Madrid Coach Carlo Ancelotti has said that he decided to leave Paris Saint-Germain back in March, for not feeling he had the board’s support.
The Italian left the Parisians after 18 months this summer to sign up at the Santiago Bernabeu, but only on from a protracted wait whilst PSG found a replacement.
Despite the wrangle, the Coach has this week reflected that his decision to leave the Parc des Princes came during the season, after an early March defeat to Reims in Ligue 1.
“We played very bad at Reims. But I thought that after three very good months that we had just had that things would have been a bit calmer,” considered Ancelotti in today’s edition of L’Equipe.
“But I felt no confidence. Since the day after, I said to [then sporting director] Leonardo that I would train PSG until the end of the season.
“When I joined PSG, I believed in the project. New players were arriving and to create a new team needed time.
“The first six months were good. But the following season, I understood that club officials had changed their minds. They didn’t have the idea of a project, but of immediate results.”
Ancelotti is now at Real Madrid and has acknowledged the expectation he faces in the Spanish capital.
“They have a history like no other club apart from Milan. It gives you more responsibility, motivation and provides a great pressure.
“I have to learn Spanish and it was not easy at first, even as I had done some courses in June and July.
“My message to the team? That they should show solidarity, think first of the group, of the collective.”
The Italian has so far continued public debate over the team’s goalkeepers, by selecting Diego Lopez ahead of Iker Casillas. The latter is set to start tonight in the Champions League against Galatasaray.
“Casillas is a very good goalkeeper. But I chose Diego Lopez because he started preseason two weeks before and he is in good condition.
“It is my decision. I’ll give Casillas a chance in the Champions League.”