Photo credit: www.bbc.com

Ancelotti Embraces Pressure Amid Speculation Over Future at Real Madrid

Carlo Ancelotti has expressed his acceptance of the pressures associated with managing Real Madrid, despite ongoing rumors regarding his future with the club. The seasoned coach, who returned to the Spanish giants from Everton in 2021, has enjoyed notable successes, including two La Liga titles and two UEFA Champions League victories. However, this season has presented greater challenges.

Real Madrid recently faced defeat against Arsenal in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, a setback that has fueled speculation about Ancelotti’s future. Additionally, with just six matches left to play in La Liga, his team trails Barcelona by four points in the league standings.

The loss to Arsenal has intensified discussions around potential successors for Ancelotti, with former player Xabi Alonso, now managing Bayer Leverkusen, being mentioned as a possible replacement should the club decide to make a change.

During a recent press conference, Ancelotti addressed the mounting pressure. He acknowledged the difficulties faced this season compared to the previous year, stating, “The club is aware that it has been a more complicated year than last year.” He went on to highlight the collaborative efforts between himself and the club to navigate these challenges.

Despite the stress associated with expectations at Real Madrid, Ancelotti remains optimistic, remarking, “The honeymoon continues. I’m very happy, very happy, with a lot of pressure, but that’s how it always is.” He elaborated on his relationship with stress, explaining, “You see success very close and it’s normal for stress to increase, but stress is fuel for me. It doesn’t bother me; it gives me more energy to think about more things.” With a positive outlook, he concluded, “As long as I continue to get up in the morning, everything is fine.”

Source
www.bbc.com