Bayern Munich manager Carlo Ancelotti admits he does not push his team too hard in training as he believes recovery is just as important for the players.
A number of Premier League managers have been criticised in recent weeks for placing too much emphasis on a tough fitness regime, including both Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino, who demand that their team's play with a high intensity.
Ancelotti: I don't kill my players in training https://t.co/4OwT8tk5MN
When asked if he adopted a similar approach during his own training sessions, Ancelotti explained that he preferred to give his players a greater recuperation period and revealed that he focuses on using the ball instead.
He told German magazine Kicker (as quoted by theMail): "I'm not a coach who kills his players in training.
"Most of the drills we do involve the ball, I don't like running a lot without the ball, but my players average 6,000, 7,000 metres. That's enough.
"In Spain there is a saying: 'demasiada agua mata la planta' “ too much water kills the plant. It's the same with training.
"The dosage must be right. You can train hard, but you have to give the body the chance to relax."
Whilst Ancelotti hasn't proven to be the most popular manager for Bayern, the Italian has seen his team open up a three-point lead the top of the Bundesliga and they appear on course to land their fifth successive domestic league title.
Last weekend's 2-1 victory over Werder Bremen maintained an impressive eight-match winning run that has seen the Bavariansusurp surprise package RB Leipzig as league leaders.