Ancelotti axed after PSG rout

– Bayern Munich have sacked coach Carlo Ancelotti (above) in the wake of their Champions League defeat at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain, the club announced yesterday.

“Following an internal analysis the club is to part company with head coach Carlo Ancelotti with immediate effect,” Bayern said on their website.

Former player Willy Sagnol, the ex-French international who had been an assistant to Ancelotti, has been named interim coach.

Pressure had already been building on Ancelotti with Bayern enduring an inconsistent start to the season before losing 3-0 to PSG on Wednesday.

After the game the Italian was questioned by German media about tactics and team selection, following his decision to leave Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben and Mats Hummels on the bench.

“The performance of our team since the start of the season did not meet the expectations we had of them,” said Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

“The game in Paris clearly showed that we had to draw consequences. (Sporting director) Hasan Salihamidzic and I had an open and serious discussion with Carlo today and informed him of our decision.

“Carlo is my friend and will remain so, but we had to make a professional decision.”

Bayern are currently third in the Bundesliga table after six games, three points behind leaders Borussia Dortmund, before visiting Hertha Berlin on Sunday.

They have not been so far off the pace so early in a season since 2010/11, when Dortmund went on to win the title and Bayern finished third.

Ancelotti, 58, led Bayern to a fifth consecutive title last season in his first campaign in charge after succeeding Pep Guardiola.

However, the Bavarians lost to Real Madrid in the quarterfinals of the Champions League and to Dortmund in the semifinals of the German Cup.

Among the potential replacements being mentioned is Thomas Tuchel, currently a free agent after leaving Dortmund. –

Berlin