Should Carlo Ancelotti leave Real Madrid in the summer?

There has been speculation about the future of Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti with claims the Italian could be sacked this summer

According Sky Sports Spanish football expert Guillem Balague, Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti could be facing the sack at the end of the season.

Los Blancos slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Athletic Bilbao’s San Mames on Saturday.

The defeat followed a 1-1 draw at home to Villarreal, which allowed Barcelona to take the lead at the top of La Liga.

Speculation

It seems incredible that just a few months ago Real Madrid were celebrating 22 consecutive victories and now there is speculation that Real boss Carlo Ancelotti could be facing the prospect of leaving the Bernabeu in the summer.

This is the same boss who guided Real to the historic much talked about La Decima. It seems the Italian is now out of favour with the Real hierarchy and could pay the price with his job.

Outstanding

Carlo Ancelotti is a boss of the highest calibre and few current bosses can compete with the Italian’s trophy haul in his career. Ancelotti has won the Champions League three times, twice with AC Milan and once with Real.

The Italian has also won the league in England, Italy and France, not to mention numerous other domestic trophies. The 55-year-old’s managerial ability is not in question, but it seems he does not have the answers to Los Blancos’ current malaise.

Midfield

One of the major problems for Real at the moment is that their midfield is not functioning properly. Isco was one of the shining lights earlier in the season, but is starting to look tired and is struggling to find his peak fitness.

A similar thing is also happening to German international Toni Kroos, who seems to play every minute of every game.

With both central midfielders looking tired and the likes of Asier Illarramendi and Lucas Silva not yet considered good enough for Real, they have a real problem in the central of the park.

Injuries to Colombian World Cup star James Rodriguez and Luka Modric have also had a major effect on the flow of Real’s play. On paper they have one of the best squads in club football, but fatigue and injuries have played a big effect on Real’s midfield in recent games.

BBC

Ancelotti has made a rod for his own back by saying that attacking threesome of Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale will play every game when fit.

The trio collectively known as the BBC in Spain are first choice, but Ancelotti now has to stick to his word, despite at times their form not being the best.

Ronaldo has failed to have a shot on goal in four out of his last eight games for Real. This has led for calls from Los Blancos fans to drop the Portuguese star from the starting line-up, despite everything that the former-Manchester United star has achieved in the Spanish capital.

Gareth Bale has not been in the best of form either, as he almost looks like he is trying too hard to make things happen and they are not coming off for the Welshman. Bale has now failed to score or assist in his last seven games for the men in white.

Zidane

Former-Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane is currently boss of Real’s second team Castilla. The 42-year-old is now being mooted as the potential replacement for Ancelotti in the summer. His lack of experience at the top level may work against him, but this is Real Madrid and logic sometimes goes out of the window.

Trophies

Real Madrid are still in the race for La Liga and the Champions League. Los Blancos face German side Schalke this evening in Europe’s elite competition and expect to make it to the last eight of the competition.

Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid career may rest on his team claiming one of those trophies. If Los Blancos do not claim a trophy then last year’s Champions League winning boss could be out of a job.

However, the Italian will no doubt have a queue of top European clubs just waiting to offer him a lucrative position, because he has proved throughout his career what a talented boss he is, despite what the Real Madrid hierarchy may believe.

Should Carlo Ancelotti leave Real Madrid in the summer?