Bellingham’s SOS to former Real Madrid boss Ancelotti
Having failed to hit top form this season, Jude Bellingham turned to Carlo Ancelotti, his former head coach at the Bernabéu, for advice.
There came a point when Jude Bellingham couldn’t find his way back to top form. A turbulent Real Madrid side did him no favors, but he wasn’t finding answers with England either - a team that had endured a difficult stretch in the months leading up to its arrival in the United States. Bellingham was searching for clarity, so he turned to a familiar ally: Carlo Ancelotti, the coach under whom he had produced the finest football of his career.
The England international wanted to hear from his former manager, to follow his guidance in order to solve his issues - particularly those tied to the national team and its head coach, Thomas Tuchel. As Tuchel’s final World Cup roster made clear, he’s not one for gray areas: you’re either with him or you’re not. Players like Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Trent Alexander-Arnold have already felt the sting, left out of the squad entirely.
Like the rest of Real Madrid, Bellingham did not enjoy a strong season. Fitness troubles - beginning with shoulder surgery and followed by muscle injuries - combined with two coaching changes, left him struggling to find his place on the pitch. Yet toward the end of the campaign, there were clear signs of a resurgence, hints that he could rediscover the dominance he showed in his debut season in Madrid.
In his opening match of the World Cup with England, Bellingham made a statement: he’s back. His best version has resurfaced, and he looks ready to play a decisive role in the Three Lions’ journey on American soil. He found the back of the net, but that’s almost incidental. His overall influence on the game has skyrocketed. He’s once again a focal point - something Tuchel himself had previously thrown into doubt.
A cornerstone of the project
It may have raised eyebrows at the time, but that call to his former Real Madrid coach - who managed him for two seasons - proved pivotal. It helped Bellingham reflect, reset, and chart the best path out of a difficult spell. He leaned on Ancelotti for both his relationship with Tuchel and his vast experience. From that moment, the roadmap back to elite form began to take shape. England is already reaping the rewards, and inside Valdebebas there’s growing excitement: Bellingham is viewed as a foundational piece of José Mourinho’s new project.
Bellingham still carries the billing of a franchise player at Real Madrid. In fact, there’s a firm belief within the club that much of the Portuguese manager’s success will revolve around the Englishman. Off the field, his star power remains just as strong - Adidas is preparing an exclusive signature line in his name, placing him in the same commercial bracket as Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal.
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