Carlo Ancelotti is no pushover and will not be a puppet for the Real Madrid boardroom, his friend and fellow Italian Arrigo Sacchi has said.
Some media reports had suggested Ancelotti’s appointment was designed to ensure a period of calm and peacefulness following the turbulent three-year period under Jose Mourinho in which the Portuguese caused much controversy after falling out with referees, other managers, the media, and his own players.
But Sacchi said Ancelotti is a tough character and has always been able to make big calls during his management career.
“Once, before a Champions League game, Silvio Berlusconi said that Filippo Inzaghi ought to start, leading Ancelotti to quip at the press conference: ‘Here’s hoping the president has got the selection right and we win’,” the former Madrid sporting director told Spanish sports newspaper Marca.
“The next day he didn’t play Inzaghi and they won. He listens to everyone, but he doesn’t give in to pressure.”
