Carlo Ancelotti Doesn't Fear Real Madrid Sack, Supports Boos After Schalke Loss

Carlo Ancelotti remains calm over his Real Madrid future, despite increasing speculation he could be axed from the Bernabeu post after a string of poor results and performances.

The Italian watched on as Schalke grabbed a thrilling 4-3 victory in the Spanish capital on Tuesday, a result which ended the Champions League round-of-16 tie 5-4 in Madrid's favour. Although the European champions managed to avoid being knocked out, the team exited the pitch to a chorus of boos.

A winless streak of three matches has placed Ancelotti's future under the microscope, but he isn't fazed, as reported by Javier Garcia of Madrid's official website: "I'm not thinking about being sacked. I'm continuing to do my job. I'm trying to better, I need to do better. As I've said, it's the responsibility of the coach to put out a team that can play better than we have tonight."

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BT Sport commentator Ian Darke offered thoughts on Madrid's display—which saw them easily ripped apart by the German outfit—and Ancelotti's prospects:

The manager sided with fans after the result. He believes the jeers were deserved and that Madrid's current lack of solidity is damaging to the club's reputation, as reported by Zarif Rasul of the Mirror:

"

It’s obvious that I’m very sorry about it as everybody has seen that we played quite badly tonight. It’s not good for our image, our club’s image. So I am sorry in that sense.

I think the whistling from the fans is totally deserved. This is going to motivate us even more for the following matches. I still have all the trust for this team and this staff, and I know what they can do. We have to work harder, we have to focus more and we have to do everything more.

"

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The aftermath of the match has seen leading goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo take a vow of silence: "I won't talk again until the end of the season," said the Portuguese icon, who netted a brace to keep Los Blancos in the tie, as reported by Pete Jenson of the MailOnline.

Goalkeeper Iker Casillas—who could have dealt with each of Schalke's goals in better fashion—admitted the team has "hit rock bottom," per Tom Conn of Inside Spanish Football.

This may be something of an overreaction—Madrid are one point behind Barcelona in La Liga and have a decent chance of retaining their European crown—but the Spaniard's comments highlight the hysteria following every disappointing result.

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Sky Sports' Guillem Balague says "the Real hierarchy are now seriously considering parting company with Ancelotti in the summer and I will be very surprised if he is there next season." The boss needs to rethink things, as Madrid are currently struggling to find space ahead of the opposition's box, while giving up plenty of room in front of their own.

Schalke are not the most prolific side and scored more than one goal just once in 10 games prior to visiting the Spanish capital, per Soccerway. Roberto Di Matteo's team exposed the frailty of Ancelotti's side, potentially pushing Madrid's future opponents to play with greater attacking intent.

Sports writer Ben Hayward suggests the reintroduction of Luka Modric—who returned against Schalke after nearly four months out with injury—can be seen as a bright spot for Madrid:

Ancelotti ranks among the most experienced and well-regarded managers on the planet, so he possesses the quality to work beyond such a situation. Both he and his players need to find a solution and enter a rich run of form as the season's final months approach.

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It appears the manager's tightrope is wobbling, and in the heated environment of Madrid, such concerns could be terminal. The press and fans are likely to jump on any slip-up at this point, suggesting Ancelotti may not fear the sack because it is inevitable.