Davide Ancelotti talks Real Madrid exit, Alonso, Vinicius, Mbappe, Gonzalo Garcia – ‘We knew from the press’ | OneFootball

Former Real Madrid assistant coach Davide Ancelotti recently shared his thoughts with El Partidazo de Cope (h/t SPORT), looking back on his time on the Santiago Bernabeu bench alongside his father, Carlo Ancelotti.

After four years with Los Blancos, the Ancelottis have now moved on to lead the Brazilian national team.

Davide explained that as the final matches of the season approached, they sensed their time at Real Madrid was coming to an end.

“As the final games of the season approached, we knew our paths were going to separate.

“We knew from the press, from the feelings, and from what my father talked about with the club.

“A change after four years was normal. It was the perfect moment to say goodbye,” he said, adding that such a farewell at a club like Real Madrid is rare and special.

Danger of being at Real Madrid

Davide Ancelotti spent four years at Real Madrid. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Despite the constant pressure at one of the world’s biggest clubs, Davide admitted they never felt like a single game would determine their fate.

“At Real Madrid, you feel like you’re in danger every day. That’s the essence of this club,” he noted.

He also revealed the hardest moment during his time there: the 0-4 loss to Barcelona in 2022, calling it a tough and unexpected blow.

“The most complicated moment was the 0-4 against Barça in 2022, it was a hard and unexpected blow,” he noted.

Praise for Carlo, Alonso, and Vinicius

When asked about the best coach in the world, Davide had no doubt: “For me, my father is the best coach in the world.”

Davide praise Xabi Alonso. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

He also praised Xabi Alonso, calling him the best of the new generation of managers: “For me, he is the best coach of the young people there is.”

One of the biggest challenges the Ancelottis faced was managing Vinicius Jr. The Brazilian star often found himself in heated situations with opponents and fans, but Davide said they always tried to support him.

“Vinicius has helped us win two Champions Leagues and many games.

“My father sometimes had to be tough with him because he knew he needed it, but we always tried to be by his side,” he remembered.

Regarding Real Madrid youngster Gonzalo Garcia, Davide explained that “with Kylian and Endrick injured, Gonzalo would surely have started with us.”

Lastly, when asked a fun question about whether he would rather nationalise Mbappe or Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal for Brazil, Davide chose the French striker without hesitation.