Real Madrid’s Patience Wears Thin as Carlo Ancelotti Struggles to Find Stability
It’s not often that a man with Carlo Ancelotti’s CV finds himself walking on such a tightrope, but that’s exactly where the veteran Italian currently stands. With just days to go before what could be a season-defining Copa del Rey final against Barcelona, Carlo Ancelotti’s grip on the Real Madrid job appears shakier than ever.
Once celebrated as the calm architect of Madrid’s multiple successes, Carlo Ancelotti now finds himself under intense scrutiny, facing questions not just about tactics or results, but about his very future in the Spanish capital. And according to the latest reports out of Spain, he might not even make it to the cup final.
Another Slip Could Be His Last: Athletic Club Looms Large
Madrid’s upcoming La Liga fixture against Athletic Club isn’t just another match — it’s been branded, internally at least, as a final of its own kind. Club executives reportedly see the game as a litmus test for Carlo Ancelotti’s control, both over the dressing room and over the ship that seems to be drifting ever further off course.
While whispers of his summer departure have been circulating for months, the tone inside Valdebebas training ground has recently shifted. As per Relevo, there’s no guarantee Carlo Ancelotti even survives beyond the weekend should Madrid suffer a humiliating result at the hands of the Europa League semi-finalists.
It’s a remarkable fall from grace, and yet not entirely shocking to those who’ve followed Madrid’s season closely.
A Season Slipping Away
For all the early optimism, this campaign has failed to deliver on the promise that surrounded it back in August. Carlo Ancelotti has presided over a side that has stumbled in La Liga, failing to keep up with a relentless Girona and a newly-resurgent Barcelona. European ambitions were cut short, with Madrid bowing out of the Champions League earlier than expected — a particular sore point for a club that prides itself on continental dominance.
Even domestic form has left much to be desired. Disjointed performances, an inconsistent attack, and unconvincing defensive displays have become the norm. Fans, once reassured by Carlo Ancelotti’s calm demeanor, are now calling for urgency. And the board? They’re listening.
Make no mistake: the Italian manager remains respected — even admired — for what he’s accomplished. But Real Madrid isn’t a club that lives in the past, and goodwill has a famously short shelf-life in these parts.
Copa del Rey Final: Last Chance or Missed Opportunity?
The looming Copa del Rey final against Barcelona was once expected to be Carlo Ancelotti’s final shot at redemption — a chance to end his tenure on a high, hoisting silverware and restoring some pride to a turbulent season.
But that opportunity may never come to pass.
There’s now a very real possibility that a poor result against Athletic Club could cost Carlo Ancelotti his place on the Madrid bench before that final even kicks off. Such a scenario, while dramatic, is not without precedent in the club’s tumultuous managerial history.
For Madrid, perception matters just as much as points. And the perception right now is that the team is vulnerable, mentally fragile, and missing that famous Madridista edge. In that context, handing Barcelona a psychological edge before the final — by heading into it in disarray or with an interim manager — is a risk the club may be forced to weigh.
Interim Options Limited, Long-Term Plans Clear
While sacking Carlo Ancelotti before the final would certainly be drastic, it also presents its own problems. Chief among them: who would take charge? With no clear interim figure ready to step in, the board risks plunging the team into even more uncertainty during a critical stretch of the season.
Behind closed doors, discussions are reportedly ongoing. Madrid’s upper hierarchy remains hesitant to pull the trigger too early, largely because of this exact conundrum. But should things go south in Bilbao, they may have no choice.
In the longer term, the club’s intentions are clearer. Sources confirm that Xabi Alonso, currently flying high with Bayer Leverkusen, is their top choice to take the reins this summer. Alonso, a club legend as a player and rapidly developing into a world-class tactician, is seen as the ideal man to usher in a new era.
But bringing him in won’t be cheap — Leverkusen are reportedly demanding a hefty release clause. Even still, Madrid are determined to get their man, especially with other European giants eyeing the Basque manager as a future star.
Klopp Rumours Refuted
Another name thrown into the mix — albeit briefly — was Jürgen Klopp. The former Liverpool manager, currently heading Red Bull’s global football division, was linked to Madrid in a speculative report last week. His name sent ripples across fan forums and social media alike, with some fans dreaming of a high-energy reboot under the German.
However, those dreams were short-lived. Klopp’s agent moved quickly to quash the rumours, affirming the coach’s commitment to his current role and distancing him from any talk of a swift return to frontline coaching.
It seems, for now at least, that all roads lead to Alonso.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Legacy at Stake
Whether he’s sacked this weekend or walks away quietly in a few weeks’ time, Carlo Ancelotti’s second spell in charge of Real Madrid will leave a complex legacy.
He delivered a Champions League and La Liga double in 2022 — an achievement that should never be underplayed — and guided a transitional squad through a challenging period. His rapport with senior players, his calm demeanor under pressure, and his deep understanding of Madrid’s culture made him the perfect man for the job — for a while.
But football is a results business. And at a club where expectations are sky-high and patience is thin, even legends can find themselves edged out.
If Carlo Ancelotti wants one last hurrah, one final moment of glory in white, he’ll need a result this weekend. And not just any result — a commanding, convincing, confidence-restoring win over a very dangerous Athletic Club side.
Anything less? And his Copa del Rey final may become someone else’s first match in charge.
