Former Paris Saint-Germain striker Guillaume Hoarau, 42, spoke to L’Équipe about a memorable moment from his time at the Parisian club. Through a personal anecdote about Carlo Ancelotti, the former center-forward sheds light on both the Italian manager’s human side and the fierce competition for places in attack that existed at PSG at the time.
Hoarau: “The Mister. Carlo Ancelotti cried when I left; it was very emotional.”
“Which coach made the biggest impression on you?”
“The Mister. Carlo Ancelotti cried when I left; it was very emotional. I saw him yell at Ibra, but he didn’t put anyone down: ‘I would have liked to play you more, but you can see it’s not possible…’ We were playing a 4-3-3 formation, and there was Pastore, Lavezzi, Ibra, Gameiro, Ménez, Nenê, and me. ‘Ibra, can you give me five minutes?’” “No!” When you’re a substitute in training matches, it’s over.”
In his account, Hoarau isn’t trying to rehash an old Parisian saga or settle scores. Rather, he highlights a strong personal relationship with Carlo Ancelotti, a coach capable of frankness, authority, and emotion in a locker room nonetheless stifled by fierce competition.
Between Ibrahimovic, Pastore, Lavezzi, Gameiro, Ménez, and Nenê, the former Paris Saint-Germain striker describes an overloaded attacking lineup where playing time became almost a luxury. His recollection is valuable precisely because of this contrast: on the one hand, the sporting brutality of an already entrenched hierarchy; on the other, the way Ancelotti stood by his choices without humiliating those he used less. It’s not a bombshell revelation, but a personal account that reveals a management style.
