Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti speaks out on rumours of players striking: ‘football needs to reflect’ | OneFootball

Talk has been rife in recent days about the massive workload put on footballers this season given the extra fixtures many teams face.

With stars like Man City’s Rodri and Barcelona’s Jules Koundé having already raised their voices, next up to speak out was Carlo Ancelotti, who did so in a press conference ahead of his side’s match against Espanyol.

The Italian coach took the opportunity to emphasize that money isn’t the issue when it comes to these strike threats, saying as per Cadena SER, that ‘Players have no problem lowering their salary if they play less.‘

Ancelotti then continued by saying ‘This season’s calendar is not going to change, the players are thinking about changing the future of football.’

This perhaps hints at the idea that players hope that their voices will be heard and that changes will be made in the years to come, but that immediate changes may not be possible.

A figure such as Carlo Ancelotti coming out and making a statement like this is a big deal, as the 65-year-old is perhaps one of the most recognizable off-pitch figures in the game today.

The prospect of striking isn’t new when it comes to Ancelotti either, with Spanish managers threatening their own strike in recent weeks as well.

GSFN | Ciaran Currie