Arrigo Sacchi visited his “genial pupil” Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid and reveals he wasn’t wanted at Milan.
Ancelotti was a midfielder in Sacchi’s ‘Grande Milan’ of the late 1980s and early 90s, winning every trophy available, but it seems not everyone was originally enthusiastic about the move.
“President Berlusconi said he couldn’t sign a player with such a serious injury when they said at Roma that he was useless,” revealed Sacchi.
Arrigo Sacchi visited his “genial pupil” Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid and reveals he wasn’t wanted at Milan.
Ancelotti was a midfielder in Sacchi’s ‘Grande Milan’ of the late 1980s and early 90s, winning every trophy available, but it seems not everyone was originally enthusiastic about the move.
“President Berlusconi said he couldn’t sign a player with such a serious injury when they said at Roma that he was useless,” revealed Sacchi.
The medical with Milan doctors found Ancelotti had a 20 per cent disability in his knee, but he went on to win it all.
“I said if we bought Ancelotti, we’d win the Scudetto. He was a great protagonist of that extraordinary squad. Then he worked in my staff at the Nazionale and after a few years went out on his own with excellent results.
“Carlo is a very talented Coach who both has and transmits a sense of calm. He is happy with how things are going at Real Madrid and the respect of everyone there, including Florentino Perez.
“Ancelotti is accustomed to working with Presidents who put pressure on him when he works, but if that’s a problem for most Coaches, it acts as motivation for him.
“He also has to deal with an unusual media pressure for Spanish clubs, but Ancelotti turns this into something positive with his intelligent, phlegmatic approach.
“With patience, ability and clarity, he has made Real into a modern team. Their possession and counter-attacks are extraordinary.
“I am convinced of one thing: nobody can form a group and find the right solutions like him. This is why they love him.
“I asked Carlo how he was doing. He replied: ‘I am very tense. Time passes, but I get more and more tense.’ He would be a great poker player, as he didn’t let it show…”
Sacchi also revealed he had some advice for Sergio Ramos during his visit to the Real Madrid camp.
“He said he wanted to renew the contract, but Florentino Perez wants to offer him less. He asked what I thought.
“I replied: ‘You have to stay. Think of Kaka and Shevchenko, who were happy at Milan and left because of money, cutting short their careers. You are happy here and so should stay.
“I also reminded him that to convince Florentino to sign him, I’d guaranteed he would become the new Maldini.”