If there's a coach who's left a deep impression on Real Madrid fans, it's Carlo Ancelotti. If there's a coach that Florentino Pérez would prefer not to ever have to sack, it's Carlo Ancelotti. However, results are what count.
It's been just over a week since Carlo Ancelotti was named the best coach in the world at the Ballon d'Or awards. Now again, soccer has no memory: The drubbings by Barça and Milan at Bernabéu have left the Italian coach in a difficult position.
It Wouldn't be the First Time Real Madrid Fires Ancelotti
Ancelotti is a veteran in the business and knows that the continuity of his work depends on results. Overnight, results can turn the best in the world into the worst.
It wouldn't be the first time he's fired by Real Madrid. He has spoken about the issue with Florentino. He is the most beloved coach, but at Real Madrid you can't live on memories.
The present is enough to make you shudder. Nine goals conceded in the last three games at Bernabéu and two very painful defeats against Barça and Milan. Ancelotti is the first to know that he's in danger.
However, this is not the first time that Carletto has had three negative results in a row. There's speculation that he will be sacked. The club is confident that, as on other occasions, he'll get through this. They aren't giving him any time, however. He has to get back on track now, before Barça is in the lead in La Liga and the Champions League gets too far away.
Florentino has Everything Planned, Even Ancelotti's Dismissal
Florentino Pérez is prepared for anything, even for the contingency of a sudden change of coach. He has three coaches to choose from but there won't be much to consider because the decision has already been made.
The chosen one is Zinedine Zidane. He's ready and waiting for Florentino Pérez's call to begin his third stage as coach for Real Madrid.
Another candidate, Álvaro Arbeloa, would be Zidane's second-in-command. The same role that the club reserved for Zizou under Ancelotti when he left Castilla.
The idea is for Arbeloa to gain experience and end up being the first-choice coach on the Real Madrid bench. Arbeloa is a very popular coach at the club. His madridism is beyond doubt and his preparation as a coach is not debatable.
Zidane is Waiting for the Call
The third name to have moved into Real Madrid's orbit is Xabi Alonso, the successful coach of Bayer Leverkusen. Florentino doesn't want to affect his image by offering him a team in crisis but he's counting on him for the future.
Before that, Xabi Alonso will have a spell at Bayern Munich or Liverpool, the two teams of his lifetime along Real Madrid. Then he'll be ready to lead the white team.
But to put out the fire that the white team is getting into, Florentino Pérez believes that there's no better firefighter than Zidane. The results of the past support him.
There's little or nothing to say about Zidane. Florentino knows he can count on him in times of need; this is one of them.