How Carlo Ancelotti diverted him from the road to “Old Trafford”: “Manchester United is dead”
Article by Alexandru Stanciu – Published Saturday, May 23, 2026, 2:18 p.m. / Updated Saturday, May 23, 2026, 2:18 p.m.
In a recent Netflix documentary about his career, current Minnesota United FC player James Rodriguez (34) revealed details of his journey, including a failed move to Manchester United that was changed by a phone call from Carlo Ancelotti (66).
The Colombia international explained that after his time at Real Madrid, his move to Manchester United was almost certain. However, a discussion with his agent, Jorge Mendes, and a phone call from Ancelotti changed the course of events.
Carlo Ancelotti convinced James Rodriguez to turn down Manchester United
“No one knows this, but after Real Madrid I was going to sign with Manchester United. Jorge Mendes said to me: “Do you want to go to Bayern?”, and I answered him: “Where will I play? There's Ribery, Robben there…”.
He told me: “Carlo asked you”. Carlo called me and I said: “I think I'm going to Manchester”. And he answered me: «What Manchester? Manchester (no United) is dead. You have to come here with me». I think it was a good decision to go to Bayern“, said James Rodriguez, according to abola.pt.
His time in Germany had its ups and downs. The first year under Carlo Ancelotti and Jupp Heynckes was positive as both spoke Spanish. However, the arrival of Kovac in the second year complicated his adjustment.
“Every coach has his favourites, and I wasn't one of them,” said James, recalling an episode about the technician's methods: “He wanted the players to do 30 minutes of cycling after training and I'd say, 'What am I training for? Am I going to the Tour de France or what? I'm a footballer'”.
The Colombian player also admitted his difficulties with the German language: “I wasn't doing well in my lessons, I was always falling asleep. I said: 'I don't want to learn'”.
In addition to Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, James Rodriguez performed under the command of Carlo Ancelotti and at Everton in the 2020-2021 season.
James Rodriguez, about his time at Real Madrid: “I started to cry”
About the time he spent at Real Madrid, James Rodriguez confessed: “With Zidane, I trained well. When I played, I did things well. I played big games. I scored goals, I gave decisive assists. And when the games came, let's say, important ones, I wasn't the starter. Then I got frustrated and said: “What else can I do?”.
The midfielder lamented the atmosphere created around him: “In the newspapers everything was about Acritica, because they showed me on the bench with an angry face… This created a toxic atmosphere.
From the beginning, he had his 12 or 13 players. I think he chose a base. I never had a problem with him, no personal problem. It's just that I wanted to play and, well, it's respectable because he managed to win titles.”
Leaving the club was a painful moment, which the player described with emotion: “I got home… sad, I started crying alone, so my daughter wouldn't see me. But she found me and asked me why I was crying. I told her we had to leave, that I had to change the club. My heart was broken.”
