Davide Ancelotti Says Real Madrid Never Recovered From Toni Kroos Exit

Davide Ancelotti says Real Madrid have never recovered from losing Toni Kroos, and that no one can replace him.

The Lille coach, who spoke to Diario AS, worked at Madrid as an assistant to his father, Carlo Ancelotti, when the club won the Champions League in 2021-22 and 2023-24. Madrid have won no major trophy in the last two seasons.

Davide said the missing piece is someone who can release runners into space. "I don’t want everything I say about Madrid to be interpreted as criticism, but when Modric or Kroos were there, every run into space would be met with the ball," he said. 

"I’m not saying that the players there now don’t have that ability. What I’m saying is that, to play vertically, you need someone who knows how to put the ball into those spaces. Being vertical doesn’t mean having eight runners; it also means having someone who can release them. It’s a style of play."

He said a player like Kroos cannot be copied. "You lose something you will never get back… The best player in the world in his position. You can't say, 'I need another Kroos,' because there isn't one."

Davide Ancelotti admits Real Madrid are missing Toni Kroos

Ancelotti explained what made the German so special. "He was the master of the game. He controlled the tempo. The game was played the way he wanted. He made the decisions, and he was fundamental because he managed the tempo of the match for you. And on top of that, he ran. He was a player who covered 11 kilometres per game. And he knew how to defend; he had a great tactical understanding. I loved it when he played as a No. 6. I loved it…"

He added that Kroos preferred to play as a No. 8. "He didn't particularly like going for second balls or getting involved in duels… He preferred playing as a No. 8 because he left the dirty work to the No. 6. Inevitably, for the way Real Madrid played, losing Toni was very difficult. They suddenly lost so many things."

Off the pitch, he said Kroos was just as impressive. "With everyone, with everyone… With Modric too. But yes, I spoke a lot about football with Toni because he is a very intelligent guy. He challenges you and makes you think. He always has an interesting perspective on things. He made you a better coach. It was a shame that he left."

Ancelotti also praised Rodri, though he does not think Madrid depend on signing him. "Yes. Rodri would fit in anywhere. He is a player…" he said. 

"You shouldn't go looking for a copy of Toni. Madrid will find its balance. With Rodri or without him, they will be competitive until the end, as always. In the end, when it matters, Madrid are always there."

Madrid were very successful from 2010 to 2019, winning four Champions League titles, three of them in a row from 2015-16 to 2017-18. Replacing the creative role Kroos and Luka Modric once filled is now the big task for new manager Jose Mourinho.