Carlo Ancelotti could be coaching his last games as manager of Real Madrid. The elimination from the Champions League against Arsenal, especially given the way the team has played (in this game and throughout the year), has made it clear that the team needs a major overhaul, and in these cases, the first casualty is usually the person in charge. Now Florentino Pérez will have to make a difficult decision, choosing between the two options he is considering, Jurgen Klopp and Xabi Alonso.
Ancelotti’s farewell
Real Madrid could still achieve the double this season. It does not seem to have the quality at the moment to challenge Barcelona for both titles, but if it does, Ancelotti‘s chances for next season would increase. But whatever happens, Real Madrid needs a big change, and many believe that Carlo Ancelotti’s time at the helm of Real Madrid is up.
Ancelotti has been on the tightrope many times before: just two seasons ago, Real Madrid only managed to win the Copa del Rey, an insufficient result for a club that always aims for the top. However, Florentino Pérez put his faith in the Italian, and the result was a double in La Liga and the Champions League last season.
Many believe that if Ancelotti had had a more balanced squad, if his requests had been listened to in the wake of last season’s departures (Kroos, Nacho, and Joselu), and if replacements had been sought for injuries (Carvajal and Militao), he would have had more options.
But there is another sector of the board (and the fans) who believe that the players have become complacent under Ancelotti, that his message no longer resonates with them, and that it is time to look for a new coach with fresh ideas who can give Real Madrid more meaning on the pitch, both defensively and offensively.
Klopp and Xabi Alonso, the alternatives
Xabi Alonso has been heavily linked with the Real Madrid job for months. In his few years at the top, he has demonstrated his ability to manage the teams he has coached, offering attractive, vertical, and supportive football without sacrificing ball control and beautiful play. In addition, he knows the club, which is a point in his favor. However, he has not yet been in charge of a big team, a team in the European elite, and the Bernabéu offices doubt his ability to manage a dressing room like Real Madrid’s at a time when he will be under the microscope.
The second option that is gaining momentum as the days go by is Jurgen Klopp. As Grada3 reported a few weeks ago, Real Madrid could opt for the charisma and presence of the German coach to get the team back on track. We are talking about a coach who has been at the top of world football with Liverpool, taking them to three European finals (losing two against Real Madrid) and winning numerous titles during his time at the English club. He has a strong character but is also close to the players. Like a good German, he is disciplined and demands discipline from his players. Real Madrid are convinced that he could be the ideal coach to take the reins of the team, and he would be willing to come.
Real Madrid have one month of competition left, which will decide the rest of the season. Winning LaLiga and the Copa del Rey could turn the current situation around, but everything indicates that Ancelotti is playing his last games in white. He may leave the team even if he manages to win both titles.