Ancelotti linked with a premature departure from Bayern Munich / Image via mirror.co.uk
Ancelotti was never the main focus for Bayern
Bayern Munich announced Carlo Ancelotti as Pep Guardiola’s successor in December 2015, long before the Spaniard was due to leave his post.
It looked like a trademark Bayern Munich move – a well-thought idea to bring a celebrated expert and a man who specialized in winning European trophies during his successful career – but Carlo Ancelotti was the only available high-profile name in the business and the Bavarians needed to act fast.
Bayern Munich officials made no secret in their desire to get a German tactician as next manager, someone who will understand the nature of German game and a man who would successfully implement the plan of integrating established stars with up-and-coming home grown talent so it is fair to assume that bringing Carlo Ancelotti was to an extent a forced decision.
The German giants have made youth development a key element in their long-term planning for which they thought a native tactician is required. Uli Hoenes attempted to sign Jurgen Klopp back in 2008 and with respect to all that current Liverpool manager achieved at Borussia Dortmund, it is believed that Bayern Munich are keen to replicate the pattern, which is why they have constantly been looking well past Carlo Ancelotti over the past couple of months.
Bundesliga champions were in a way surprised with Pep Guardiola’s seemingly rash decision to leave, and reacted quickly to grab a well-established man who they thought could lead them to European glory and get their name back to the Champions League pedestal. At the same time, they seemed aware Ancelotti was not a long-term solution.
Lack of Youth Development
The Italian tactician was given a three-year contract at Bayern Munich and a squad brimming with exciting young potential in the likes of Joshua Kimmich, Kingsley Coman and Renato Sanches among others.
Ancelotti, however, decided to go with the team’s old nucleus, with players responsible for all the success from 2013, when Bayern Munich last won the European crown. With Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery and Philipp Lahm as team leaders, Carlo Ancelotti pushed the youth contingent down the pecking order and preferred experience over youth.
Ancelotti’s approach yielded result in Bundesliga where Bayern Munich defied the unlikely pressure from RB Salzburg and are on road to defend the domestic crown. The Bavarians are always expected to be dominant in Germany, however, and the impending Bundesliga title will not have the same weight now that Bayern Munich are effectively out of both Champions League and DFB Pokal.
Thomas Tuchel’s Borussia Dortmund was in subordinate position to Bayern Munich throughout the season, but the young blood of Borussia Dortmund’s players stood up at the most crucial time and recorded an important win which not only guarantees a place in the Cup final, but also sends a strong message that a shift of powers could be on the cards in Germany.
Dortmund are given an early price of 8/15 to beat Eintracht Frankfurt in the DFB Pokal final next month.
Change of Approach or a Change of Coach
Dortmund continue to follow the path set out by Jurgen Klopp and invest in young prospects and it is a business model that should reap results in the long-run.
On the other side, the lack of talent development could end up being a thing that will force Bayern Munich to part ways with Carlo Ancelotti even before his contract with Bavarians expires. With Bayern Munich signing Niklas Sule and Sebastian Rudy this summer, it will be interesting to see if Carlo Ancelotti will change his approach and focus on young players next season.
The Italian tactician is already linked with a move away from Bayern – but at the end of 2017/18 season – and has emerged as a somewhat shock target for Arsenal, who are facing great pressure to sack Arsene Wenger after what is likely to be an utterly disappointing season for Gunners.
The forthcoming season will define both Bayern Munich and Carlo Ancelotti’s futures, whereas there is one name that is being singled out as a solution Bavarians are searching for.
Julian Nagelsmann, currently a Hoffenheim coach, was seen in attendance at Allianz Arena on Wednesday night. His team are playing Borussia Dortmund two weeks from now and young tactician was likely in Munich to scout his opponents, but his presence nevertheless sparked rumours linking him with Bayern Munich.
Bayern president Uli Hoeness holds Nagelsmann in high regard and the youngest coach in Bundesliga history is already seen as a future Bayern Munich head coach who will be given confidence and backing to use his imposing tactical skills and knowledge to usher the Germany’s greatest into a new era.
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
