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.
