EVERTON boss Carlo Ancelotti has opened up over his illustrious career as a coach including managing Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane.
The Italian has been at the helm at some of Europe’s biggest clubs including AC Milan, Juventus, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Bayern Munich.
Ancelotti described managing Cristiano Ronaldo as ‘easy’Credit: Getty – Contributor
Ancelotti, 60, has won ten pieces of major silverware including three Champions League titles with two different clubs.
Known for his terrific man-management, Ancelotti has had to deal with football’s biggest egos including Ronaldo during his time at the Bernabeu.
And while some managers such as Jose Mourinho have clashed with the Portuguese star, Ancelotti admits it was “easy” to get the best out of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “You don’t have to build a team around Cristiano Ronaldo, you have to put them in the more comfortable way on the pitch.
“I don’t think you have to build strict tactics with this player defensively because there are players who are more involved in the attacking phase and there are players who have to be involved more in the defensive phase.
Zidane is the first player who gave me the possibility to change the system.
“Of course, they have to work together because the team is the most important part of the game, but strikers like Ronaldo who are able to score every single game, you don’t have to give too much information defensively.
“It is the easiest way to be a manager, to manage a fantastic player because they are professional, they are serious, they have personality, they are motivated so it is the easiest way.”
After success as boss of Parma, Ancelotti was appointed Juventus manager in 1999 where he boasted the legendary Zidane.
In order to get the best out of the Frenchman, he ditched his renowned 4-4-2 formation to accommodate Zidane in a No10 role and admitted it was the now-Real Madrid boss that changed his footballing philosophy.
Ancelotti added: “With Zidane, I tried to change my idea about the system. Zidane is the first player who gave me the possibility to change the system and play in a different way.
Ancelotti pictured with Zidane during their time together at JuventusCredit: PA:Press Association
“So when I had Zidane, in the first year at Juventus, I played with a system of 3-4-1-2, having [Alessandro] Del Piero and [Filippo] Inzaghi up front and Zidane a little bit behind.
“The second year, I played with a back four but keeping two strikers in front and one No10 like Zidane.
“Zidane changed my idea about football, I was so focused before Juventus on 4-4-2 and after with Zidane, I changed, I wanted to put him in the best position for him to let him be more comfortable on the pitch.”
Cristiano Ronaldo goes into ‘explode’ mode as he takes on sprint training in Instagram video from Juventus base
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
