Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has been under pressure before, but a 4-0 win over Barcelona in the 2023 Copa del Rey helped put those doubts to rest.
However, he has at least two months left before Los Blancos meet their arch-enemies again, and plenty of work to do in the meantime.
Ancelotti met with Real Madrid's hierarchy after their defeat to AC Milan, and claimed he felt he could still turn things around. On Wednesday, president Florentino Perez was present at the Valdebebas training center and had lunch with Ancelotti, according to Marca. During that lunch, Perez and other senior officials expressed the need for a reaction on the field, but tried to establish calm and support their coach.
Real are not looking for anyone
They also say that Los Blancos have not been in contact with any other coach to replace the Italian. Real Madrid have no immediate plans to part ways with Ancelotti and do not believe the situation is as bad as under Julen Lopetegui or Rafael Benitez, the last coaches to be sacked mid-season.
If they felt compelled to act in light of the results, Ancelotti's replacement until the end of the season would come from within. Sporting director Santi Solari or Real Madrid Castilla manager Raul Gonzalez would take over if necessary, but that is still a long way off.
It is only natural that the club decided to back Ancelotti, as we often see with the dreaded vote of confidence from the public. Fortunately for Ancelotti, we're not there yet, but this report contradicts others that emerged today, highlighting that if the coming weeks don't bring victories, Ancelotti will suffer the consequences. With a nine-point gap (Real Madrid have a game in hand) over Barcelona, they won't want to see another point lost in La Liga either.
