The continuity of Carlo Ancelotti as coach of Real Madrid seems to be more in doubt than ever. The Whites are having a sporting campaign full of ups and downs and although they are leaders in LaLiga and alive in the Champions League and Copa del Rey, the Italian coach is considering leaving the team at the end of the season.
Ancelotti, on a knife edge even when winning titles
Ancelotti is a coach who is loved by everyone. He is the most successful coach in the history of Real Madrid, and with a personality and empathy with the big stars that is appreciated in the corridors of the white house. But all this is not enough for a club that seeks excellence and only looks to the future with the aim of winning titles.
The heavy criticism this season has led the coach to consider fulfilling the remaining year of his contract and leaving the club at the end of the season, even if he wins La Liga, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey. The only way he would change his mind would be if Florentino Pérez expressly asked him to do so, something which, for the moment, does not seem to have happened, as sources close to the club have told Grada3.
Results rule
So far this season, Carlo Ancelotti’s team has not been able to win any of the matches against the big rivals they have faced. FC Barcelona has beaten them twice, and they have drawn in both matches against Atlético de Madrid. They lost to Liverpool and AC Milan in the Champions League, and they also lost to Athletic Club, who finished fourth in La Liga.
The reality is that, in terms of points, this is Carlo Ancelotti’s worst season in the league since he arrived at Real Madrid, something that has set off alarm bells in the offices at Valdebebas. With the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Manchester City, the pressure on the coach is at its highest. A bad result in the tie could force his departure and lead the club to make drastic decisions, even before the end of the season.
Xabi Alonso, the favorite to replace Ancelotti
Those in the offices of the white club are no strangers to this situation, and are already preparing the ground for next season. In this sense, there are several names being sounded out to replace the Italian coach, but the one that is most liked is Xabi Alonso. The Bayer Leverkusen coach is one of the revelation coaches of recent years. Last season he only lost one game in the whole campaign (the Europa League final). His tactical and eye-catching game is liked, and his knowledge of the house puts him in the lead to occupy the Bernabéu bench. However, his departure from the German club would have to be negotiated.
But everything remains to be seen. Ancelotti’s future is unknown and everything suggests that his continuity will depend on his performance over the coming months. It is not the first time that there has been talk of the Italian coach’s departure, but in the end, it is results that count at the white house.
Tonight Real Madrid have their first big test of the season with the first leg of the Champions League round of 32 against Guardiola’s Manchester City, with the return leg next Wednesday. Elimination could be the beginning of the end for the Italian coach, and a lot would have to change for us to see him on the bench next year.