Carlo Ancelotti looked powerless as he watched his Real Madrid side ripped apart by Barcelona, and now there is a feeling from the Madrid hierarchy that the Italian’s reign “could be exhausted”
Real Madrid have kickstarted plans to replace manager Carlo Ancelotti after being left “furious” at their humiliating 4-0 defeat to bitter rivals Barcelona – with Xabi Alonso a top target.
Madrid were put to the sword by Barcelona, who ran riot at the Bernabeu thanks to goals from Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and a double from Robert Lewandowski.
Ancelotti looked powerless as he watched his side ripped apart, and now his head could be on the chopping block after Spanish outlet Sport claimed there was “disappointment” over how the campaign has played out despite the arrival of superstar Kylian Mbappe.
There is a feeling from the Madrid hierarchy that Ancelotti’s reign “could be exhausted” despite winning LaLiga and the Champions League last season, the report goes on, adding that president Florentino Perez has begun preparations to bring Alonso to the Bernabeu next season.
Ancelotti’s contract was extended to 2026 last season despite “doubts” over the Italian’s age at 65 and Perez is now said to be “very angry” over Madrid’s situation.
Alonso played for Madrid between 2009 and 2014, featuring 236 times, and he would be a popular figure in the dugout – with the Spaniard now earning huge plaudits as a manager having won the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen, going the entire season unbeaten.
He only just signed a new deal with Leverkusen in the summer so bringing him in now would prove troublesome, but the report claims he has a clause in his contract that will allow him to leave for another club in June.
Ancelotti came out fighting despite Madrid’s heavy loss, insisting the scoreline did not reflect the performance – as he claimed he was happy with the level of effort he saw from his players.
“It doesn’t reflect what happened on the pitch,” he said after the. game. “We couldn’t get ahead and they took the lead. The game, until the first goal, was very even and we had more chances. The formation was 4-4-2 and I think we did well in the first half.
“I do not regret my gameplan. I have been in football for 48 years, so I’m not wrong when I tell you that the first half was good. It’s different from the loss vs Lille. We were very bad that day. We competed today.”
Barcelona opened up a six point gap to Madrid at the top of LaLiga after their win but Los Blancos will hope to get back to winning ways as they prepare to travel to bottom-of-the-table Valencia next week.
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