Real Madrid’s catastrophic start to the season has left the Spanish giants reeling, with manager Carlo Ancelotti facing mounting pressure. A 4-0 thrashing by Barcelona in La Liga and a chastening 3-1 home defeat to AC Milan in the Champions League have exposed the cracks in Ancelotti’s team.
Nine points adrift of early leaders Barcelona, Madrid’s woes have sparked whispers of a crisis. The local media has lambasted nearly every starter, and Ancelotti’s tactics have come under scrutiny. Despite winning two Champions Leagues since his return in 2021, the Italian’s position is precarious.
Ancelotti’s Achilles’ Heel
Carlo Ancelotti’s managerial history raises questions about his ability to withstand the current turmoil at Real Madrid. While he enjoyed a successful eight-year tenure at Milan, his other managerial stints have been marked by brevity. Of his 11 managerial roles, seven have lasted just two years or less, indicating a pattern of short-term appointments.
This trend is particularly pertinent given Madrid’s notoriously impatient hierarchy. The club’s owners have never been shy about making swift changes when results falter, and Ancelotti’s lack of long-term stability elsewhere may not inspire confidence.
At clubs like Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich, Ancelotti’s tenures were marked by initial success, followed by a decline in performance and eventual departure. This trajectory raises concerns about his ability to adapt and evolve over time, particularly in a high-pressure environment like Real Madrid.
Furthermore, Ancelotti’s average tenure of 2.5 years across his managerial career suggests that he may be nearing the end of his natural cycle at Madrid. With the club already nine points off the pace in La Liga and struggling in the Champions League, the pressure is mounting.
Given Madrid’s expectations and Ancelotti’s track record, it remains to be seen whether he can buck the trend and lead the team through this challenging period.
Underperforming Superstars
The underperformance of Real Madrid’s key players has further intensified the pressure on Carlo Ancelotti. Two of the team’s most high-profile signings, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham, have failed to live up to expectations, hindering the team’s overall momentum.
Mbappe, who joined from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, has managed just eight goals and two assists in 15 matches across all competitions. While these statistics may seem respectable, they fall short of the French forward’s typically lofty standards. His struggles to adapt to Ancelotti’s system and form a cohesive partnership with other attackers have raised concerns.
Similarly, Bellingham, last season’s breakout star, has endured a barren spell. The young midfielder’s creative spark and goal-scoring threat have been sorely missed, leaving Madrid’s attack looking blunt.
The retirement of Toni Kroos has also left an immense void in Madrid’s midfield. The German legend’s vision, control, and experience were instrumental in dictating the team’s tempo and creating scoring opportunities. Aurelien Tchouameni, tasked with filling Kroos’s shoes, has struggled to replicate his predecessor’s influence.
Tchouameni’s limitations have been exposed, particularly in big games, where his inexperience and lack of composure have hindered Madrid’s ability to control the midfield battle. Ancelotti’s reluctance to utilize Eduardo Camavinga, a more dynamic and creative option, has raised eyebrows, adding to the sense of uncertainty surrounding the team’s midfield.
The convergence of these factors – Mbappe’s struggles, Bellingham’s drought, and Tchouameni’s difficulties in replacing Kroos – has created a perfect storm that Ancelotti must navigate to restore Madrid’s fortunes.
President Florentino Perez’s frustrations are also growing, particularly regarding Ancelotti’s reluctance to integrate young talents Endrick and Arda Guler. Transfer speculation is already swirling, and Ancelotti’s once-untouchable status is eroding.
A Successor in Waiting?
As pressure mounts on Carlo Ancelotti, a familiar face has emerged as a potential successor: Xabi Alonso. The 42-year-old former midfielder, who played under Ancelotti at Real Madrid, has been making waves with his impressive managerial stint at Bayer Leverkusen.
Alonso’s success at Leverkusen has not gone unnoticed. Last season, he led the German side to an unprecedented Bundesliga title, remaining unbeaten throughout the domestic campaign. This achievement, coupled with his tactical acumen and ability to foster a cohesive team environment, has catapulted him into contention for the Madrid hot seat.
The Spanish tactician’s philosophy, emphasizing balance between attack and defence, could provide the stability Madrid desperately needs. Alonso’s Leverkusen side has consistently demonstrated an ability to adapt, seamlessly shifting between explosive counter-attacks and resolute defensive displays.
As the pressure intensifies, Ancelotti’s future hangs in the balance. Madrid’s crisis may be temporary, but Ancelotti’s tenure might not be.
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