'Unpopular' Label Infuriates Sacked Ancelotti
Monday 18th June 2001
Former Juventus coach Carlo Ancelotti has hit back at the club after it was claimed his "unpopularity" amongst supporters was one reason behind his sacking on Sunday. "I don't think they are telling the truth," he said. "The supporters appreciated me."
Former Parma boss Ancelotti was fired after his side's 2-1 win over Atalanta ensured they finished second in Serie A for the second year running.
Former Juve boss Marcello Lippi has been drafted in as his replacement, but Ancelotti is furious with honorary president Umberto Agnelli, who stated that Ancelotti did not see eye to eye with the fans and the press.
The outgoing boss raged on Monday: "I was fired and I'm very sad about that because in the last two years we have won the most points out of any team in Serie A.
"But because I didn't win the Scudetto I was fired. The fans have appreciated me here and they did on Sunday. I also haven't read anything negative about me in the local newspapers."
Ancelotti did win support from Juventus and Fiat owner Giovanni Agnelli, brother of Umberto, who called the coach on Monday to thank him for "a wonderful job".
Juve's domestic form may have been consistent under Ancelotti, but they performed poorly in Europe and have failed to pick up any silverware since he took over in the spring of 1999.
