According to reports, to save the season and his position, Carlito must win at least one of the two remaining titles—the Copa del Rey or La Liga—in competition with Barcelona. The Champions League exit, Real Madrid’s primary goal, has drawn heavy criticism toward Ancelotti, making his future a hot topic on social media. Fans who supported him after the first-leg defeat now have doubts about his continuation.

Ancelotti faced questions about his future in post-match interviews. In a brief conversation with Movistar+, when asked if this was his last Champions League game with Real, he humorously replied: “This season, yes, unfortunately it was the last one. Let’s see what happens next year.”

But his frustration was evident in the press conference: “Maybe one day the club will decide to make a change, perhaps this year or next when my contract ends. When my time here is over, I’ll do one thing—thank this club.” Despite having a contract until 2026, his stay depends on success in the Copa del Rey or La Liga.

The Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on April 26 is a decisive single match that could salvage the season. In La Liga, Real trails Barcelona by four points with just seven weeks remaining. They must win the El Clásico on May 11 and hope for another slip-up from Barça.

However, Real’s performance this season, especially against top teams, is concerning. Barcelona humiliated Real in two El Clásicos with 4-0 and 5-2 victories. Real also lost to Arsenal (both legs), Liverpool, and Milan, winning only one of four derbies against Atlético Madrid. In Europe, apart from victories over weak Dortmund and Manchester City sides, Real had no standout performances.

With 12 defeats, this is Ancelotti’s worst season in his six years at Real Madrid. In Real’s history, few managers have stayed after a season without winning La Liga, the Champions League, or the Copa del Rey. Zidane resigned in 2021, but Solari, Mourinho, Pellegrini, and even Ancelotti himself in 2015 were sacked after trophy-less seasons. Ancelotti, with 15 titles at Real and five Champions League trophies in his career, now needs to win the Copa del Rey or La Liga to survive and end an unusual season successfully before the Club World Cup.