Why Carlo Ancelotti could be facing Real Madrid sack

Real Madrid are growingly increasingly frustrated with Carlo Ancelotti and could sack the Italian if the 15-time Champions League winners fail to advance past the play-off stage of this season's competition, a report in Spain has claimed.

Despite the blockbuster addition of Kylian Mbappe during the summer, Madrid have repeatedly underwhelmed this season and reached a new low earlier this month when they were thumped 5-2 by Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana final.

Spanish publication Relevo state that Ancelotti sees that humbling defeat as a sort of final warning, well aware that another major slip-up will likely cost him his job.

Those responsible for making such a decision ultimately stuck with Ancelotti but find themselves faced with the debate once again. It is claimed that Madrid will cut ties with the Italian if he oversees anymore disastrous results in the Champions League, demanding the team advance to the knockout stages despite the threat of a massive play-off tie against top sides like Bayern Munich or Atletico Madrid.

Should Ancelotti leave before the end of the season, it is claimed Solari would be drafted in as a temporary replacement, but Madrid have already set their sights on Bayer Leverkusen's Xabi Alonso as their next permanent manager. The current plan is to hire the Spaniard in the summer of 2026, when Ancelotti's contract expires, but that could be brought forward.

Ancelotti is likely to need to win either LaLiga or the Champions League to retain his job beyond this season. Club officials are said to be losing faith in the 65-year-old's ability to turn things around and will be watching the team's performances closely.

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