Karim Benzema has said Carlo Ancelotti was the perfect appointment for Real Madrid last summer as the Italian brought calmness to the club following the turbulent reign of Jose Mourinho.
The Portuguese boss left the Santiago Bernabeu under a cloud to return to Chelsea. Despite winning the Copa del Rey and La Liga in his three year stint in Madrid, his tenure is looked back on as a failure as the self-proclaimed Special One failed to achieve the club’s goal of winning La Decima.
And in his last season in charge, more was written about the off field goings on at the club that what was happening on the pitch, with Mourinho falling out with officials, opposition players and managers, and a large part of his own squad.
Speaking to AS, Benzema was asked about the differences between the two managers, and he responded saying Ancelotti has a calm way about about his work.
“Ancelotti is serenity. He doesn’t put pressure on the players. It’s different from Mourinho, another method,” he stated.
Despite speculation linking him with a move away from the club, the France striker said his is happy in the Spanish capital.
“I’m happy in Madrid. This is my home. “There were difficult days] but I overcame them. At first, some mornings I said ‘I have no desire’ but I couldn’t afford to give up. I love working. In Madrid, we have meet for training between 10.30 and 11. I arrive at 9.30. After training I stay in the gym. I noticed this about Cristiano Ronaldo. At first I was like others, turning up at 10.30. I realised I should aim higher, like he does. Some people don’t know the difference between a good game and a very good game,” he commented.
“When I have a normal game, they say I’m no good.”
