Is Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid reign under threat, despite a promising start? Carlo Ancelotti, the legendary former Real Madrid manager, weighs in on the situation, offering a vote of confidence for his successor. After all, Ancelotti knows a thing or two about the pressure cooker that is managing Los Blancos. Having led Real Madrid to unprecedented success, he's seen it all.
Alonso took the reins this summer, stepping into the massive shoes left by Ancelotti. The beginning was almost perfect, with 13 wins in 14 matches across all competitions. But, the world of football is fickle. Two consecutive setbacks before the November international break have put Alonso under scrutiny.
Ancelotti, speaking to AS, understands this pressure all too well. "[Real Madrid have] won almost every match, but unfortunately, in football, you can’t always win. Sometimes you have to draw. One thing I learned at Real Madrid is that a draw here is the prelude to a crisis," he stated.
"We already know that the best evaluation of a coach is results, and so far, the results have been spectacular. Sole leaders in La Liga and among the top eight in the Champions League. What more can we ask of Xabi?" Ancelotti, now 66 years old, questioned.
Currently, Real Madrid leads La Liga with 31 points from 12 matches. However, a scoreless draw against Rayo Vallecano reduced their lead over Barcelona to just three points. In the Champions League, they find themselves in seventh place after a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield.
When asked if Alonso would succeed, Ancelotti was unequivocal: "Obviously, yes. I see a solid team, especially at the back, and very effective in attack. Mbappé is doing very well, and Bellingham is back. I think Xabi can be successful without any problem."
Ancelotti's belief in Alonso runs deep. He managed Alonso at both Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, and he recognized the future manager's potential. "[Alonso was] a footballer who had great vision of the game. I was convinced he could do very well… and he is doing very well," the Italian manager said.
But here's where it gets controversial... Despite Ancelotti's support, Alonso still needs to prove himself. The team is aiming to rebound from a trophy-less 2024-25 season.
What do you think? Do you agree with Ancelotti's assessment? Can Alonso silence the critics and lead Real Madrid to glory? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
