Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti says he understands why Jürgen Klopp decided to leave Liverpool at the end of last season after nine years in charge. Klopp announced his decision to depart midway through the 2023/24 season, despite having a contract until 2026.

Klopp cited the pressure of working at a club like Liverpool and the need for a break. His final game as manager saw Liverpool beat Wolves 2-0, and now the German is set to take a sabbatical from the game.

Ancelotti, who has coached some of the biggest clubs in the world, understands better than most how Klopp felt towards the end, and compared the situation to Arrigo Sacchi's time at Milan in the early 1990s.

Ancelotti told Il Giornale: "I don't see any particular news, this has always been our job but the Klopp case is significant. The continuous pressure, the load of responsibilities become excessive burdens, the obsession takes over. It also happened to Arrigo Sacchi."

Sacchi took over at Milan in 1987 and one of his first acts was to buy Ancelotti — the player — from Roma. Sacchi brought the team to the heights of domestic and European success. Milan won Serie A in his first season before winning — and then retaining — the European Cup in 1989 and 1990.

Sacchi's tactics and personality eventually clashed with several of the team's stars, including Marco Van Basten. Eventually, Sacchi departed in 1991 to take over the Italian national team after just four years but never enjoyed the same club success again.

Ancelotti also suggested that relationships can come to a natural conclusion and, at a certain stage, a departure is the best thing for all concerned. In his final weeks in the job, Klopp clashed publicly with Mohamed Salah during a draw with West Ham.

"When relationships break down, not human ones but professional ones, it is better to leave without controversies and arguments," said the Italian manager.

Ancelotti won a fifth Champions League trophy this season, beating Borussia Dortmund in the final at Wembley. His record against Klopp stands at eight wins to Klopp's three, with the most recent victory coming in the 2022/23 Champions League round of 16 tie.