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ATLÉTICO MADRID

Gameiro says Ancelotti "not a man of his word"

Kevin Gameiro, Atlético Madrid's striker, complained in an interview about how he was treated by Carlo Ancelotti while the two were at French club PSG, saying the coach broke promises.
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El delantero rojiblanco Kevin Gameiro y Carlo Ancelotti, en el banquillo del PSG.
Franck FifeAFP

Atlético Madrid striker Kevin Gameiro discussed the various coaches he's had over the years in an interview with Journal du Dimanche, and the 29 year old shocked many with his statements about Carlo Ancelotti.

Gameiro and Ancelotti were at PSG together, with the forward playing  at the French club for two seasons, 2011-12 and 2012-13. The Italian coach arrived halfway through 2011-12, with the aim of winning Ligue 1 straightaway. While Ancelotti failed in that bid, he stayed for a second season, achieving the title at his second go. 

Gameiro, while at PSG
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Gameiro, while at PSG

Gameiro: "I didn't figure in Ancelotti's plans"

Gameiro admitted he was unhappy with Ancelotti: "He let me down. I wasn't ready to play for his PSG. When he replaced Antoine Kombouaré in Christmas 2011 I realised I wasn't in his plans. I went from being a regular to a substitute who didn't even play".

Until Ancelotti's arrival Gameiro had been a regular in the starting XI. Until the current Bayern Munich coach arrived, the French hit-man had scored 10 goals in the French league and one in the Europa League, but after Ancelotti turned up, he managed just one more goal in Ligue 1.

Gameiro says Ancelotti broke his promise

What really rankles for Gameiro is that he believes Ancelotti failed to keep his word: "I told him my wish to leave the club at the end of that first season, but he stopped me. He told me I'd have chances to play with such a full calendar, but he didn't keep his promise. Against Valencia, in March 2013, Ibrahimovic was sent off, but I didn't start. The next day I asked for an explanation in his office. He listened to me, because he was open to dialogue, but he changed nothing".

"I went from being a regular to a substitute who didn't even play"

Gameiro

The end of the story is well known. Come summer, Ancelotti left for Real Madrid and Sevilla paid 7.5 million euros for Gameiro, who was a huge success and was then acquired by Atlético Madrid...

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