Former Real Madrid manager José Mourinho has shared a humorous story about Carlo Ancelotti, recalling how the Italian coach once asked for permission to visit the club’s Valdebebas training ground to check on Brazilian players.
According to Mourinho, Ancelotti approached him before making the visit, prompting a surprised reaction from the Portuguese tactician.
“When Carlo Ancelotti wanted to come check up on Brazilian players, he asked me for permission to come to Valdebebas…” Mourinho said.
“I said: ‘Carlo, are you crazy?’” he recalled, adding a touch of humour to the story.
Mourinho’s response reflected his surprise that Ancelotti, a respected figure in world football, would feel the need to ask for permission to visit the training facilities. The exchange, as recounted by Mourinho, also highlighted the friendly relationship and mutual respect between the two experienced managers.
“But this is Carlo Ancelotti. A gentleman, a great guy,” Mourinho said in remarks attributed to an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport.
The anecdote offers a glimpse into the professional relationships that can exist between top-level football managers, even when they have different personalities and approaches to the game. While Mourinho is widely known for his outspoken nature and sharp sense of humour, Ancelotti has built a reputation for his calm demeanour and diplomatic approach.
Both managers have enjoyed remarkable careers in European football, working with some of the world’s biggest clubs and leading teams in major domestic and continental competitions.
Their paths have crossed through their involvement in elite football, where professional respect can remain strong despite competition for trophies and recognition.
Mourinho’s recollection has an amusing central moment, but his praise for Ancelotti is clear. By describing the Italian as a gentleman and a great person, he emphasised the respect he holds for a fellow coach whose reputation extends well beyond his achievements on the pitch.
The story also demonstrates how a simple exchange away from match day can reveal the personalities behind football’s biggest names.
While the precise circumstances of the visit were not detailed in the supplied quotation, Mourinho’s comments present the interaction as a light-hearted moment between two prominent figures in the sport.
