Bayern Munich star Arjen Robben has hit out at claims he was one of the players who went behind the back of Carlo Ancelotti, declaring “it’s bulls***”.
Ancelotti was sacked by the Bavarians last Thursday, having seen Bayern beaten 3-0 by PSG in the Champions League.
One supposed reason behind his ultimate demise was that Bayern players had grown disillusioned with his methods, with club president Uli Hoeness having declared “Ancelotti had five players against him”.
Hoeness would also add: “As coach, you can’t have your most prominent players as enemies. In my life, I’ve learned a saying: the enemy in your own bed is the most dangerous. That’s why we had to act.”
Reports in Germany suggested senior members of the Bayern squad had undertaken additional training sessions without the Italian’s knowledge, and that a number of key figures had met CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge to voice their frustrations.
One additional claim centred around Robben – left on the bench in Paris last week – with the Dutchman supposedly telling officials “there’s better training at my son’s youth team.”
But Robben, 33, has fired back at those claims, speaking while on international duty in Holland.
“All of a sudden there are things appearing in the media that I would like to distance myself from,” Robben told NUsport. “These so-called quotes are bulls***.
“I hate it when things like this happen. I am the last person out there who would have a go at a coach, a fellow player or anyone else.
“You have to be a man when someone leaves and don’t hit out at anyone.”
Mats Hummels has also denied having any involvement in going behind Ancelotti’s back to club officials.
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