Ancelotti to Koeman: Getting sacked is part of this job

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has come out to preach that getting sacked is part of the job after his counterpart Ronald Koeman was relieved of his duties by Barcelona on Wednesday evening.

Koeman was sacked by the Blaugrana following their dismal start to the new season, capped by Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to Rayo Vallecano which was subsequent to a 2-1 loss to Ancelotti’s side Real Madrid on Sunday, leaving them ninth in LaLiga.

Intense speculation and pressure had mounted about the Netherlands international future for the past month and former Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain boss Ancelotti has weighed in.

Ronald Koeman was sacked by Barcelona on Wednesday evening and Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has said getting sacked is part of football managerial job. | PHOTO: Getty Images |

“I’ve been sacked several times and I’m still here, alive and happy,” Ancelotti told the media after Madrid’s 0-0 home draw with Osasuna.

“Getting sacked is part of the job and you have to give it everything you’ve got until the day you’re sacked.

“You have to look forward while keeping a clear conscience. He’s giving everything he has to give.”

Madrid’s draw with Osasuna moved them into the top spot in LaLiga but left them with only four points collected from their past four league games.

Ancelotti’s side is also winless from their past three home games, including a surprising 2-1 home defeat to Sheriff in the Champions League.

The stalemate with Osasuna follows a goalless draw with Villarreal in LaLiga, meaning Madrid has recorded back-to-back 0-0 draws in home games in the league for the fourth time, and first since November 1996 under Fabio Capello.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has said it is part of the managerial job to get sacked after Koeman was sacked by Barcelona. | PHOTO: Real Madrid CF |

“Of the three games, we deserved to win two of them,” Ancelotti said. “We have to understand that they are difficult games for this squad because in this game we lacked presence in the box.

“But do you want the truth? You can call me crazy, but I liked the performance. Especially in the second half. My players have given everything and we have to keep going.”

Ancelotti lamented a first-half incident where Los Blancos were denied a penalty after Vinicius Junior was stamped inside the box by Osasuna’s Lucas Torro. The Madrid boss also felt aggrieved at a lack of stoppage time in the second half.

“The penalty is a complicated issue. All I saw, was Vinicius asking the referee to take a look at VAR and he didn’t get why,” Ancelotti said.

“Then I understood why he stamps on him and I think it’s a penalty. Why VAR did not intervene I don’t know.

“I told the referee I felt he hadn’t added enough injury time given how the game had gone. I asked him for an explanation but it wasn’t very convincing.”

The Brazilian, Vinicius Junior was busy throughout, attempting 71 passes (64 completed), which was his highest in a single game for Madrid in all competitions.

Madrid will be in action again on Saturday when they travel to Elche for a La Liga meeting. Barcelona, without Koeman and possibly with an interim manager will host Deportivo Alaves at the Nou Camp.