Carlo Ancelotti claims row over ‘egotistic’ Gareth Bale led to Real Madrid exit

The Italian left Madrid in 2015 after two seasons at the club, during which time he guided the side to a tenth Champions League title

Carlo Ancelotti has admitted that a row with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez over Gareth Bale’s “egotistic attitude” led to his eventual departure from the Bernabeu.

The Italian left Madrid in 2015 after two seasons at the club, during which time he guided the side to a tenth Champions League title.

At the time, Perez announced the club’s board had taken the “very difficult decision” to relieve Ancelotti of his duties, citing the need for “a new impulse in order to win trophies and be at our best”.

Now, almost four years on, the current Naples boss has shed light on the way in which his relationship with Perez deteriorated – starting with a disagreement over Bale.

Addressing Naples’ lack of goals, and the apparent altruism within the squad, Ancelotti recently said: “Altruism in a squad is important, because if there’s something that drives me mad, it’s people who are egotistic in a match situation.

“Those moments when a player really should pass the ball and he doesn’t. I paid for this in my own career.

“The reason the row with Florentino Perez exploded in Madrid was my substitution of Bale against Valencia. Bale should’ve passed it to Karim Benzema, who would’ve scored in front of an open goal, but instead he took the shot.

“I hauled Bale off and the chaos erupted. Perhaps excessive altruism is also a limitation in a striker, as he needs a bit of egotism, but not if it’s over the top.

“It seems bad to say this, but if Napoli’s forwards were a little more egotistical, we might get a few advantages out of that.”