Real Madrid are increasingly frustrated with Carlo Ancelotti and could sack the Italian if the 15-time Champions League winners fail to get past the play-off stage of this year’s competition, according to a report in Spain.
Despite the blockbuster production of Kylian Mbappe during the summer, Madrid have been repeatedly relegated this season and hit a new low earlier this month when they were prevailed 5-2 against Barcelona in the final of the Spanish Super Cup.
Spanish version Relief state that Ancelotti sees this humbling defeat as a kind of final warning, knowing full well that another big slip-up will likely cost him his job.
It is argued that Madrid they have already come close to sacking Ancelotti this season after back-to-back defeats at his hands Barcelona and AC Milan in October and November, with director of football Santiago Solari tipped to be tasked with returning to the fold if Ancelotti is relieved of his duties.
Those responsible for making such a decision ultimately stuck with Ancelotti, but were faced with the debate once again. It is claimed that Madrid will cut ties with the Italian if he now oversees a disastrous run of results in the Champions League, requiring the club to progress to the knockout stages despite the threat of a huge play-off tie against top teams such as Bayern Munich or Atletico Madrid.
If Ancelotti leaves before the end of the season, it is claimed that Solari will be drafted in as a temporary replacement, but Madrid have already targeted Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso as their next permanent manager. The current plan is to sign the Spaniard in the summer of 2026, when Ancelotti’s contract expires, but that could move forward.
Ancelotti will probably need to win LaLiga or the Champions League to keep his job beyond this season. Club officials are said to be losing faith in the 65-year-old’s ability to turn things around and will be keeping a close eye on the squad’s performances.
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2025-01-18 19:15:00
