Carlo Ancelotti will take charge at Bayern Munich in the summer and will return after one year break from football, following his exit from Real Madrid at the end of the 2014-15 season. The incoming manager of the Bundesliga champions has taken a swipe at Premier League’s two prestigious clubs, Manchester United and Arsenal.
The Italian coach has slammed the owners of these two clubs for prioritising financial aspects over the results on the pitch. United are owned by the Glazers family, while their American compatriot, Stan Kroenke, who is also a business entrepreneur is the majority stakeholder at Arsenal.
The owners of these two clubs have been heavily criticised for their management style as their direct involvement in the day-to-day running of the football club is minimal. Sir Alex Ferguson enjoyed a trophy-laden career at Old Trafford before he decided to end his career following the 2012-13 season.
He served as the Red Devils' manager for 26 years and Wenger has joined the elite club of managing a football team for over 20 years. The Frenchman is still at Arsenal and has already expressed his desire to manage them next season.
Ancelotti remains confident that it is difficult for any manager to achieve a similar feat as that of Ferguson or Wenger if their clubs are owned by people who are not passionate about the club. “It is unbelievable what happened to Manchester United and Arsenal,” Ancelotti told Talksport's Hawksbee and Jacobs.
“Both managers, Wenger and Ferguson, have done fantastic jobs for all the years they’ve been there. I think the difference now is that the owners of Arsenal and Manchester United are removed [from the club] in America. They are not so passionate.
“There are two important aspects in football – the result and the financial aspects. I think Arsenal and Manchester United are more focussed on the financial aspects.
“One year you can win and reach the Champions League but [for their owners] the important thing is the financial situation. For other clubs, like AC Milan and Real Madrid, the most important thing is the result.”
Luckily for Ancelotti, he will not face such situation at Bayern. The Bundesliga giants were managed by Pep Guardiola until the end of the recently concluded season and the former Real manager will take charge at the Allianz Arena from this summer.
