Real Madrid News
Gattuso hails Ancelotti as the ‘best coach in the world’ ahead of Super Cup showdown
After the disappointing defeat against Villarreal in La Liga, Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid will look to bounce back strongly when they take on Valencia in the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.
The match will see Ancelotti go up against his former protege Gennaro Gattuso, who was a critical part of the 63-year-old’s all-conquering AC Milan outfit around two decades ago.
The two share great mutual respect and admiration, but their relationship has taken a hit after Gattuso succeeded Ancelotti as the manager of Napoli back in 2019, the former admitted.
“Now the relationship is a little bit…,” Gattuso told AS. “When I went to Napoli, he was the coach who left for me to come in. For a few months there was a lot of talk in the papers that the team wasn’t good when Carlo was there… it wasn’t good physically.
“In those two years, some things were not done right. But I have great respect for him. I spoke to him a year ago. He knows that for me he is phenomenal as a person and as a coach,” he said.
Heaping praise on the Real Madrid boss, Gattuso then went on to call Ancelotti the best coach in the world, while revealing what makes the 63-year-old tactician special, as he said:
“Ancelotti is the best coach in the world,” he said.
“Carlo comes from three or four generations ago. And he always has the key to get inside the players’ heads. Apart from tactics or his way of coaching, he is the best because of this. It seems easy but it’s not,” Gattuso explained.
Real Madrid will face off against Gattuso’s Valencia on Wednesday in the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup. A win would set up a final against either Barcelona or Real Betis, who will lock horns in the second semi-finals on Thursday.
Real Madrid youngster Endrick continues to attract interest from several clubs ahead of another potential loan move in the upcoming January transfer window.
The latest side considering a move for the Brazilian forward is Aston Villa.
Indeed, according to reports relayed by Bernabeu Digital, the Premier League club are interested in signing the Real Madrid striker on loan in January.
No minutes for Endrick
Endrick has had very limited opportunities under Jose Mourinho this season. Across Real Madrid’s nine matches in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, the Brazilian has played just four minutes, coming on in the 86th minute against Elche.
Such limited playing time has left the young forward struggling to gain the minutes and experience needed to develop his talent at Real Madrid.
As such, another loan move, like last January when he left for Olympique Lyon, could offer him a chance to play more regularly and continue his progression.
Aston Villa, managed by Unai Emery, have now emerged as an interested party to acquire the Brazilian international’s services on loan for the second half of the season.
AC Milan also interested in Endrick
Howver, Aston Villa are not the only club monitoring Endrick’s situation. AC Milan have also renewed their interest in the Brazilian forward.
The Rossoneri already held an interest in the 20-year-old forward during the summer transfer window and are knocking on the doors once again now.
In fact, some reports in Italy even go on to suggest that the youngster is ready to pounce on the opportunity to sign for the Serie A giants.
For now, however, there have been no concrete developments or formal approaches from any interested club.
Real Madrid are understood to be open to allowing Endrick to leave on loan, but they are not considering a permanent sale as they still have a lot of faith in the promising attacker whom they signed from Palmeiras.
With Aston Villa and AC Milan both interested, the coming months could prove important in determining where the young Brazilian will continue his development.
