Carlo Ancelotti: 'Pepe wanted to leave Real Madrid'

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that he had to talk Pepe out of leaving the club last summer.

The Portuguese international, who has long been linked with a switch to the Premier League, had become disillusioned with how his playing style was being perceived in Spain.

However, Ancelotti has conceded that he refused to allow the 32-year-old to depart the Bernabeu.

"I have not used any strategy. He asked to leave because in Spain they considered him bad and dirty. I told him that he was going to stay, that I counted on him. We were not disappointed," the Italian boss told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Pepe joined Madrid from Porto for a reported £25m back in 2007.