BERLIN: German champions Bayern Munich sacked coach Carlo Ancelotti yesterday, a day after they suffered a crushing 3-0 defeat to Paris St Germain in the Champions League.
The club issued a statement yesterday saying performances this season had failed to live up to expectations with CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge pinpointing Wednesday’s defeat in Paris as evidence of the team’s struggles.
Bayern, who have won the last five consecutive Bundesliga titles, are currently in third place in the Bundesliga, three points off leaders Borussia Dortmund.
They threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 against VfL Wolfsburg last week, however, having also suffered a surprise defeat at Hoffenheim earlier this month.
Italian Ancelotti joined last season, succeeding Pep Guardiola, and enjoyed immediate success, winning the Bundesliga title in his debut campaign. His side, however, were less successful in Europe and were eliminated in the quarter-finals of 2016/17 Champions League by eventual winners Real Madrid.
The 58-year-old Ancelotti, who has also coached Real Madrid, Juventus, AC Milan and Chelsea among others, has been criticised for a number of his controversial decisions this season. Sagnol takes over – Page 23