The season of Real Madrid is being the closest thing to a roller coaster. The media power that this team has means that everything is scrutinised, and depending on the results of each game, they go from talking about a bad season to catapulting the team to the top. The truth is that we are in the middle of March, when the teams with title aspirations are playing out their seasons, and Real Madrid are in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey and ahead in the first leg against Real Sociedad, level on points at the top of LaLiga with Barcelona (with one game more than their rivals), and in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Pressure that Ancelotti points out
Carlo Ancelotti has already been through many of these: we don’t know what must be going through his head, but the truth is that he seems calm, knowing what he represents, the demands of the club he coaches and the repercussions of the media power mentioned above. And the truth is that he is still in charge of the Real Madrid bench, and he has earned it, being the most successful coach in the history of the club.
It is true that Real Madrid are struggling to find consistency this season. The team does not feel comfortable on the pitch, the defensive level is lower than in other years and the chemistry between the players does not seem to be at its best. The ups and downs of the season have called into question his continuity for next season and other coaches have been sounded out.
Xabi Alonso, the coach they like the most
It is an open secret that Real Madrid would love to bring Xabi Alonso to the bench at the Bernabéu Stadium. The style proposed by the Basque coach seems tailor-made for the Whites, with a vertical and attacking game without renouncing the touch, similar to the way he played when he was a player.
Real Madrid have been in contact with the Basque coach, and have let him know that they are counting on him in case Ancelotti does not remain at the club next season. But of course, what nobody can confirm is what will happen to the Italian coach until the end of the season.
Ancelotti is still the number 1 candidate
One thing is clear at Real Madrid. Ancelotti’s departure depends on not winning either the league or the Champions League. It is likely that the Copa del Rey would not be enough to keep him in the job, and the coach continues to go through the Champions League rounds, still fighting for the top of La Liga. And if he manages to win any of the titles, his farewell would be incomprehensible. He has already said that it will be the president who will take him off the bench, he is very comfortable living out the end of his career in Madrid (without ruling out the possibility that he could continue to coach afterwards), and he has earned the respect of all Madrid fans, regardless of whether or not they like the football he is able to put on the pitch.
Furthermore, to date he has delivered results. In the end, whatever anyone says, once again he has put his team among the best in Europe, he has got them fighting for everything and from the club’s offices many think that his records will be difficult to match. When he leaves Real Madrid, one day, the coach who arrives will have extra demands. The recent history of Real Madrid translates into Champions League after Champions League, and only Zidane has been able to keep up with Ancelotti, but no one has withstood the pressure like the Italian. It will be difficult for the new coach who arrives, no matter who it is, to generate enthusiasm. The comparison will be there and if he doesn’t win, we know what will happen. Will Xabi Alonso take the risk?