Perez backing for Ancelotti

12 March 2015 15:02

Carlo Ancelotti's job will not be under threat even if Real Madrid lose at Barcelona on March 22, club president Florentino Perez said on Thursday.

Media reports in Spain had speculated that the Italian manager would be sacked if Real's upcoming match at the Nou Camp goes badly.

"Some reports have emerged that have nothing to do with reality and only contribute to create a lot of pressure on our coach and our players," Perez told the Spanish media during a press conference at the Bernabeu stadium.

"We are our biggest critics but we cannot allow for some to take advantage of a drop in form to give information that does not correspond with the truth.

"I want to express my full confidence in Carlo Ancelotti.

"Whatever happens in the next few weeks, Carlo Ancelotti will continue to be coach of Real Madrid."

Doubts over Ancelotti's future at the club have arisen after Tuesday's 4-3 home defeat to Schalke in the Champions League.

The midweek result, which saw holders Real progress to the quarter-final stages with a 5-4 aggregate win, followed a disappointing spell in the Primera Division, which has seen Ancelotti's team surrender top spot in the standings.

"We have the best coach and the best players that we could have at this club and we are proud of them," Perez said. "They have won what the Madrid fans had waited for, for a long time.

"They have won everything playing wonderful football until two months ago, for many the best football in the club's history."

Ancelotti, 55, replaced Jose Mourinho at the helm of Los Blancos in the summer of 2013 and is under contract with Real until June 2016.

The former AC Milan, Chelsea and Paris St Germain tactician led the Spanish giants to clinch a record 10th European crown and lift the Copa del Rey trophy in his debut season at the Bernabeu stadium.

Real looked unstoppable earlier this season and achieved a club record 22-match winning run before losing 2-1 to Valencia in January.

Ancelotti's side host Levante on Sunday looking to halt a three-match winless run in all competitions before facing Barcelona in El Clasico.

Real were held to 1-1 draw by Villarreal before falling 1-0 at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday to drop one point behind new leaders Barcelona.

Source: PA