How Twitter Reacted to Carlo Ancelotti's Departure from Real Madrid

In life, there are only three certainties: Death, taxes and Real Madrid firing world-class managers when their impossibly high standards are not met.

On Monday, Los Blancos held a press conference to announce the departure of Carlo Ancelotti, the man who delivered the club's much-vaunted 10th European Cup title just a year ago. The news was met with almost universal disapproval on Twitter, with many giving empirical evidence to show the quality of the Italian manager's reign in Spain:

"

No RM coach in the history has more.. - Goals per game - Points per game - Wins after 100 games - Titles in a year ..than Carlo Ancelotti.

— Uber Football Facts (@UberFootbalI) May 26, 2015"

"

With Ancelotti, Real Madrid went on a 22-match winning streak in all competitions. That streak was the longest in the history of Europe.

— SocialRMadrid (@SocialRMadrid) May 26, 2015"

"

Ancelotti had the highest winning percentage ever for a Real Madrid coach: https://t.co/IJ2Xia3Non

— Fernando R. Vila (@nandorvila) May 26, 2015"

"

Carlo Ancelotti: - 1st year: 4 trophies & La Decima - 2nd year: 22 straight wins, UCL semi, 2 points from 1st. pic.twitter.com/DJTZgatNkO

— SocialRMadrid (@SocialRMadrid) May 26, 2015"

"

Pep (2009) vs. Ancelotti (2014). pic.twitter.com/y4AiEUKeu9

— SocialRMadrid (@SocialRMadrid) May 25, 2015"

While plenty of statistics were bandied around, the most common response to the news was one of outrage:

"

Florentino Perez & his board are ungrateful! Firing Ancelotti for one trophyless season forgetting last season's success.

— Tsonga (@AK_large) May 25, 2015"

Much of the vitriol was aimed at club president Florentino Perez, who astonished football fans when he failed to give a legitimate reason for the seemingly unwarranted sacking:

Aside from losing his job, the situation appeared to pan out quite well for Ancelotti; he departed without receiving much criticism for a season without major trophies, while his employer took the brunt of the condemnation:

"

This is basically Real Madrid's logic. I just don't understand what they think? #Ancelotti pic.twitter.com/GxRS4AhYBc

— Stephen Lea (@davidlea123) May 25, 2015"

"

The President of Real Madrid Florentino Perez takes the microphone to announce the firing of Carlo Ancelotti: pic.twitter.com/8mReq4yKgr

— Fernando R. Vila (@nandorvila) May 25, 2015"

"

President Flo is the worst, how can you sack Carlo Ancelotti man!!???

— zubeida (@zeejayy_) May 25, 2015"

Spain's finest meme makers also had a field day. In the bottom-right image of the tweet below, the captions read: "I will spend 200 million for the fanbase to forgive me / And you know it":

The image at the bottom-left of this tweet, meanwhile, reads: "How the fans view Real Madrid / How Florentino sees it":

Tributes to the five-time European Cup winner (three times as manager, twice as a player) poured in from around the world, and many of his players also reached out to express their gratitude:

Before his fate was revealed, Ancelotti claimed he would either remain in charge or take a year-long sabbatical. Some took this as an opportunity to take a dig at Liverpool, who are among the potential clubs who could bring the Italian in: 

"

Convenient that Ancelotti and Klopp both want to take sabbaticals as soon as the Liverpool job may become available.. pic.twitter.com/UKODadbU0z

— Footy Memes (@FootyMemes) May 26, 2015"

Many suspect he will help turn the fortunes around at the club where he enjoyed great success as a player and manager:

"

Prediction: Ancelotti, given some cash to spend this summer, will delay his sabbatical and join Milan

— Matt Tomovic (@Carbo21MT) May 25, 2015"

"

if Galliani convinces Ancelotti to scrap the idea of a sabbatical and come to Milan.. pic.twitter.com/wGza0EaHhl

— HoldTheCarletto (@HoldTheMilan) May 25, 2015"

Meanwhile, some speculated that Ancelotti could be the man to help Manchester City get a little further in European competition:

At the time of this writing, there is no clear indication of where Mr. Ancelotti will pick up his managerial duties, or whether he will stick by his resolution to take some time off. Fans of the sport, however, eagerly anticipate the return of one of the most respected and likable bosses of the modern era—if only to see him imitate his players' celebrations on the sidelines once again:

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