Ancelotti's Bayern Reunion: Fond Memories, No Grudges

As Carlo Ancelotti prepares to lead Real Madrid against his former club Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-finals, the experienced Italian manager insists he harbors no bitterness over his unceremonious sacking by the German giants five years ago.

The first leg takes place on Tuesday at the Allianz Arena, a familiar setting for Ancelotti, who spent just 15 months at the Bayern helm before being dismissed in September 2017, with then-president Uli Hoeness infamously branding him “the enemy in your bed.”

However, the 64-year-old, who has won the Champions League four times as a manager, maintains only “very fond memories” of his time in the Bavarian capital.

“Munich is a great city with a very high quality of life,” Ancelotti told reporters on Monday. “It could have been longer back then, but my God, I have no desire for revenge.”

The circumstances surrounding Ancelotti’s departure were undoubtedly acrimonious, with a 3-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League proving the final straw for Bayern’s hierarchy.

Yet the man who has also managed AC Milan, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain during his illustrious career seems to harbor no grudges, insisting that the “past is a good memory.”

Indeed, Ancelotti’s previous stint as Real Madrid boss a decade ago saw his side thrash a Pep Guardiola-coached Bayern 4-0 in Munich en route to the final, a result he fondly recalled when asked about facing the Bundesliga champions.

While Bayern relinquished their German title to Bayer Leverkusen this season for the first time in over a decade, Ancelotti was quick to praise their European pedigree, highlighting impressive victories over Arsenal in the previous rounds.

“Bayern have a big tradition in the Champions League,” he said. “We will have to deliver the perfect semi-final.”

For the experienced Italian, this reunion with his former employers represents an opportunity to rewrite the narrative surrounding his Bayern exit, though his measured tones suggest little motivation for exacting revenge.

As the first-leg clash in Munich looms, Ancelotti’s fond recollections of his time in Bavaria appear to have superseded any lingering resentment, with the chance to guide Real Madrid to another Champions League final undoubtedly his sole focus.