Bayern Munich Boss Admits Concern Over Players' Obsession With Social Media and Smartphones

Published on: 26 December 2016

Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that he has had to adapt his managerial approach due to growing concerns over players' obsession with social media and their smartphones.


The Bayern Munich boss is concerned over the lack of communication between today's footballing stars as players become engrossed in receiving attention online from adoring fans.


Ancelotti, who led Bayern back to the summit of the Bundesliga before the enforced winter break in Germany, told Suddetsche Zeitung that he was so worried, about his first-team squad not socialising enough that he is forced to cut short team meetings so his players can go home and spend time interacting with their families and friends instead of using their mobile phones.

He said: "The players isolate themselves in that way. Some of them spend three hours stuck to the screen. If the players are at home, they have to speak to their wives and children."


The former Real Madrid and Chelsea manager stated that times had changed since he was a player, and that former professionals were much more talkative during training, social gatherings and matches than today's superstars due to a lack of distractions, such as the Internet.


He continued: "When I was a player, there was intensive interaction at training camps. We played cards, table football, table tennis -- above all we spoke to each other. Now we almost only speak with each other when we eat together.

"Discipline, compliance with the rules and respect are important to me. I'm not obsessive about it but I am definitely able to get my way.


"Otherwise I try to talk to everyone and, more importantly, listen to everyone."


Ancelotti also revealed that he was happy to switch formations, depending on which opponent Bayern would be facing, after the 57-year-old's preferred 4-3-3 system was not as successful as it had been at previous clubs.

He added: "It was so that we try different formations during the training session, it always depends on the match, on the respective opponent.


"But if my players prefer to play 4-2-3-1 than 4-3-3, then they should do it. For me, other things are important: rhythm, game intensity, combination, security and organisation are more important."


Bayern Munich return to action on Friday January 20 with an away league match against SC Freiburg, and currently sit three points and one place ahead of surprise package Red Bull Leipzig in Germany's top flight.

Read more from Tom Power by following him on Twitter!

Comments