Despite the humiliating defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Supercup, Carlo Ancelotti retains the confidence of the Real Madrid board. But for how much longer?

It was a nightmare evening for Real Madrid last Sunday. In the Spanish Supercup final, Los Merengues were crushed 5-2 by arch-rivals Barcelona. Carlo Ancelotti was the main target of criticism after the defeat.

His game plan collapsed in the opening minutes. Questionable choices, such as starting Lucas Vázquez and Aurélien Tchouaméni, exposed the team’s defensive flaws. Hansi Flick, in charge of Barça, made the most of these mistakes. The result: a humiliation in due form.

Real Madrid still behind coach Ancelotti

Despite this debacle, the Real Madrid board remains loyal to Carlo Ancelotti. According to sources close to the club, quoted by Mónica Marchante on Cope’s El Partidazo programme, Madrid’s directors have no intention of parting company with their coach for the time being. Ancelotti still enjoys the full support of the club’s top brass. This position remains unchanged, even after the defeat to Barcelona. The management believe that the Italian coach is still the right man for the job, at least in the short term.

However, this confidence is not unconditional. If the team’s performances do not improve, the talk could change in a few months’ time. Real Madrid are about to enter the most crucial phase of the season, with decisive matches in La Liga, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey. In March or April, when the pressure will be at its height, the directors’ patience could run out. For now, Carlo Ancelotti has time to turn things around. But every missed Clasico or SuperClasico could have a big impact.

Barça, Carlo’s bête noire?

Being at the helm of Real Madrid is never easy. Expectations are immense, and even one-off failures are rarely forgiven. Carlo Ancelotti is well aware of this. Since his return to the club, he has had to face frequent criticism, particularly for his tactical choices. Despite this, his record speaks for itself. He has already won numerous trophies with Real Madrid, and his management of the dressing room is often praised. But in such a demanding environment, a poor run of results can be enough to call everything into question.

The defeat to Barcelona was no mere accident. This season, the Catalans seem to have the upper hand in head-to-head matches. Last October, they inflicted a harsh 0-4 defeat on Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu. For Ancelotti, the next Clasicos will be crucial. Not only to restore Real Madrid’s image, but also to guarantee his own survival on the bench.

For the moment, the board of directors is not debating Ancelotti’s immediate future. But that support could crack if the poor results continue. In the meantime, the Italian coach must concentrate on the essentials: getting his team back on track and preparing for the big games to come. Last Sunday’s Clasico will be remembered as a wake-up call. But Carlo Ancelotti still has a chance to prove that he is still the man for the job.