Davide Ancelotti discusses Real Madrid legacy and Lille ambitions

Davide Ancelotti, the current head coach of Lille and former assistant to his father Carlo at Real Madrid, has shared extensive reflections on his career and tactical views in a recent interview with AS.

Ancelotti addressed the impact of Toni Kroos’s retirement on Real Madrid, stating the club “lost something they will never recover.” He emphasized that Kroos was irreplaceable due to his ability to dictate match rhythm and his tactical intelligence. He also defended Vinícius Júnior against claims of being problematic, noting that professional players like Luka Modrić and Casemiro have also shown similar intensity during substitutions.

Regarding his own ambitions, the 37-year-old manager admitted that Real Madrid remains his “dream.” He also expressed admiration for José Mourinho, suggesting Mourinho would be an ideal manager for the club currently due to his motivation and connection to the institution. Ancelotti noted that he sees some reflections of himself in Mourinho, particularly regarding their shared background in physical education rather than professional playing careers.