New Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has said he is delighted to have finally arrived to start his new role in the Spanish capital.
The Italian was finally confirmed as Jose Mourinho’s successor on Tuesday, 24 days after the Portuguese left Madrid to return to English side, Chelsea.
“I am very happy to be here,” he said as he was paraded in front of the media for the first time on Wednesday.
“I would like to thank the president because he has worked hard to bring me here.”
Ancelotti faces the difficult task of raising a highly-talented Madrid squad from a disappointing campaign last season in which they failed to win a major trophy and ended in a series of rows between Mourinho and senior members of the squad.
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However, the 54-year-old doesn’t believe the rifts that affected the dressing room last season should carry over into his spell in charge.
“Mourinho is a great coach and I have a lot of respect for him. He is a different character to me, but I have total respect for him.
“I don’t know what happened here last year. This is a new dawn for me and the players. I don’t think there will be any problems.
“I want to have a good relationship with my players. I have always had a good relationship with them. I don’t think Madrid need a peace maker.”
Ancelotti meanwhile also confirmed that club legend Zinedine Zidane would be part of his backroom staff.
The 41-year-old Frenchman has worked in an ambassadorial role for the club over the past year
