Real Madrid News
Real Madrid president gives his backing to Ancelotti: “The perfect coach for us”
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has given his backing to manager Carlo Ancelotti, claiming that the Italian tactician is the perfect coach for them as he understands the ideologies and philosophy of the club very well.
Ancelotti is currently in his second stint with Real Madrid. The veteran manager first held the reins of the team from 2013 to 2015, during which he led Los Blancos to La Decima.
Having returned last year, Ancelotti once again masterminded another UEFA Champions League triumph while also leading the team to La Liga and Spanish Super Cup victories.
The new campaign also started with the UEFA Super Cup triumph for the Merengues, but things have gone a little off track in recent weeks as they have fallen behind Barcelona in the La Liga title race.
While that may be the case, Ancelotti continues to have the full backing of president Perez. Speaking to Tuttosport (h/t Fabrizio Romano), the Real Madrid supremo said:
“Carlo Ancelotti is the best manager for Real Madrid. He’s perfect as he understands our values and ideas, so players can also feel the same. We’ve great relationship and he’s the perfect coach for us.”
Real Madrid have won just one of their last four matches in all competitions and are now trailing Barcelona by five points in the La Liga standings.
Despite enjoying the confidence of the president, Ancelotti must turn things around or find himself under increasing pressure in the hot seat at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Madrid take on Cadiz in their final La Liga game on Thursday night before teams break off for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Manchester City have now joined the ever-growing list of admirers for Celta Vigo midfielder and Real Madrid target Gabri Veiga, reports Jack Gaughan of the Daily Mail.
The 20-year-old midfielder has emerged as one of the breakout stars of La Liga this season, having impressed with his goalscoring abilities from the centre of the park. Indeed, the youngster has notched up nine goals in La Liga and his exploits have made the giants of Europe sit up and take notice.
Real Madrid are said to be interested in Veiga’s services heading into the summer. The Merengues have Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and Dani Ceballos on expiring contracts and it is unlikely that all three will be renewed, especially with Jude Bellingham being on the agenda.
In case of Modric and Kroos, even if they stay, it will likely be for only a season at the most. Hence, Los Blancos could require more than one central midfielder come summer, with Veiga emerging as an option.
The 20-year-old was also attracting interest from the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Atletico Madrid. Now, Manchester City have also jumped on the bandwagon of clubs interested in Veiga’s services.
The Cityzens, who are battling Real Madrid for Bellingham as well, are set to lose Ilkay Gundogan in the summer when his contract expires. Meanwhile, Bernardo Silva’s future is also far from certain, thus necessitating the signing of another midfielder.
Veiga has a release clause worth €40 million in his contract with Celta Vigo, which should not be a problem for either Real Madrid or Manchester City.
Celta Vigo president Carlos Mourino recently admitted that the midfielder could leave the club in the summer, saying:
“We don’t want to sell Gabri Veiga, but they are going to buy him from us. And we can’t do anything there. We know some of his offers and it is impossible to reach them.
“There are several teams behind Gabri. Real Madrid? They haven’t asked us, we don’t know if they will have called the player. Of the top 10 in the Premier League, four have asked about him.”
It will certainly be interesting to see whether Real Madrid are prepared to go all out for Veiga’s signing or decide to entirely focus on their pursuit of Bellingham.
