Carlo Ancelotti insists he is “very, very happy” at Real Madrid but accepts even a league and cup double this season may not be enough to prevent the sack.
Ancelotti’s tenure at the Santiago Bernabéu came under scrutiny last week with Madrid suffering a 5-1 aggregate defeat to Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Talk of Xabi Alonso replacing the Italian gathered pace over the weekend with Bayer Leverkusen chief executive Fernando Carro admitting the club have a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ with the Spaniard that could pave the way for him to move back to Madrid as boss.
The speculation is an unwanted distraction for Ancelotti with his team continuing to fight for silverware on two fronts.
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Ancelotti gears up for big week
They go to Getafe tomorrow night hoping to remain on the coat-tails of Barca, who hold a four-point advantage at the top La Liga heading into the midweek fixtures, before they come up against their Catalan rivals in the Copa del Rey final in Seville on Saturday.
Edging out Barca in both contests would strengthen Ancelotti’s hand but not make him safe.
Asked this morning if a club can sack a double-winning coach, he said: “In football everything is possible. Anything can happen.”
The former Italy defender confirmed he was not looking for a way out of the club, however, adding: “The club is aware that it has been a more complicated year than the last. And together we manage the difficulties.
“The honeymoon continues. I’m very happy, very happy, with a lot of pressure, but it’s always like this. You see success very close and it is normal for stress to increase, but stress is fuel for me, it doesn’t bother me, it gives me more energy.
“I love this job and [hopefully] it will continue as long as possible but if one day it ends, I will say thank you to the club, nothing else.”
I won’t change – Ancelotti
Ancelotti has been criticised for his laid back approach but said he had no interest in changing his methods.
“I try to manage relationships with people with how I am. In a relationship, you have to show who you are,” he said.
“This season I have been angry many times. But my approach is to have relationships with people in which I have respect and you are respected.
“If you want someone who will use the whip, sign another coach. For me, it’s not the way.”
Ancelotti will have to balance the demands of league and cup when he names his side for the clash with Getafe.
Kylian Mbappe and Ferland Mendy are not yet fit enough to play and will be held back for the game in Seville at the weekend. He may rest other key men with the weekend in mind.
