CELTIC’S Champions League foes Bayern Munich have sacked Carlo Ancelotti following last night’s 3-0 thumping from Paris saint-Germain, according to reports in Germany.
The Bundesliga giants’ hierarchy held a meeting to discuss the Italian’s future earlier today and it is understood he has now left the club.
Former Chelsea and AC Milan boss Ancelotti had been in charge at the Allianz Arena for nearly 15 months after taking over as Pep Guardiola’s successor in July 2016.
He led Bayern to their fifth consecutive Bundesliga title in his first season in charge, but his side were eliminated at the quarter-final stage of the Champions League against his former club Real Madrid, while they were beaten 3-2 by Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals of the national Cup.
Ancelotti had come under pressure in the early stages of the new campaign after a 2-0 defeat to Hoffenheim earlier this month.
That loss was followed a few weeks later by a 2-2 draw at home against Wolfsburg before PSG’s emphatic 3-0 win in Paris.
Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge talked of “consequences” after the defeat to the big-spending French side.
He said: “It’s a loss we have to talk about, we have to analyse, from which we have to draw consequences in clear text form.
“I think what we saw this evening was not Bayern Munich. I think we all agree on that.
“If I take a look to the right or left, then there is nothing to misunderstand or to interpret wrong. I think it’s important to turn things around after this loss, to present as Bayern Munich and to show we are a team, [the one]which performed well in Europe and in Germany last year. That’s where we have to continue.”
Ancelotti was forced to defend his team selection after the defeat having left Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben and Mats Hummels on the bench, while Jerome Boateng was not included in the squad.
He insisted: “I don’t think my team selection was risky. I thought a lot about what the best team to play was.
“I know I will get criticism, that’s fine. I thought it was a good line-up for this game.”
Bayern have moved quickly to confirm club legend Willy Sagnol will replace sacked Carlo Ancelotti on an interim basis until the end of the season, so will lead the German Champions in the forthcoming double header against the Invincibles.
Brendan Rodgers is due to take the Hoops to Bavaria on October 18 with the return at Parkhead on October 31.
Coincidentally, Anderlecht sacked their manager, Rene Weiler, earlier this month as he prepared for last night’s meeting against the Scottish champions.
The CQN Podcast: A Celtic State of Mind (EP14) Champions League Special
A Celtic State of Mind offers an insight into the culture of Celtic Football Club, the city of Glasgow, and fans of the reigning invincible Scottish champions.
Each episode includes interviews with ‘Celtic-minded’ figures from the world of sport, music, film, art, broadcasting, literature or politics.
Ahead of the crucial Champions League match against Anderlecht, ‘A Celtic State of Mind’ goes behind the Champions League curtain for Celtic’s opening match against PSG.
Kevin Graham provides pre and post-match discussion with members of his CSC, as well as in-match analysis in what will be a regular Celtic State of Mind feature.
Enjoy!
