Bayern Munich's Mats Hummels has refuted suggestions he is a "king slayer" after it was reported he was one of five players who had turned against former boss Carlo Ancelotti.
Hummels, Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben were all left on the bench by Ancelotti for Bayern's 3-0 Champions League defeat at Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, while Jerome Boateng watched from the stands.
Following the high-profile loss, Ancelotti was sacked the following day by the German champions with assistant manager Willy Sagnol taking over as interim head coach.
However, Sagnol failed to have any immediate effect as for the first time in Bundesliga history, Bayern squandered a two-goal lead for a second consecutive game -- drawing 2-2 with Hertha Berlin on Sunday.
"I can't speak for the others," Hummels told Sport Bild. "Five players were talked about and I cannot speak for the other four, but I haven't had a conversation about being unhappy because I wasn't playing or anything like this.
"To be termed a 'king slayer' is out of order. I do not know the origins of this information or if it was written because I did not play. I don't like it, I simply wouldn't do this."
Ancelotti, a three-time Champions League winner, led Bayern to the Bundesliga title last season by a 15-point winning margin.
Hummels said the former Real Madrid coach had made an "emotional" farewell from the team on Friday.
"It's the first time ever I've experienced a change in coach during the season. It's a really strange feeling not having him around, but also the four other blokes [Ancelotti's backroom team] are no longer there."
However, when asked whether Ancelotti's dismissal came as a surprise, Hummels replied: "If it was quick or not that is the question."