Monday 25 May 2015 19:47, UK
Real Madrid are expected to confirm the future of manager Carlo Ancelotti at a press conference on Monday night.
Ancelotti won the Champions League, Copa del Rey, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA’s Club World Cup in his first season in charge at the Bernabeu.
However, Real failed to win any silverware this campaign and finished two points behind La Liga champions Barcelona.
Ancelotti has received the support of Real’s leading players but speculation is growing that his exit will be confirmed by Florentino Perez, with a press conference reportedly due to be held at 6pm BST on Monday.
Ancelotti's agent is thought to have been told on Friday that the Italian would not continue as manager.
However, after fans and World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo threw their weight behind Ancelotti, the expected decision has been thrown into doubt.
"Great coach and amazing person. Hope we work together next season," Ronaldo posted on his official Twitter account after bagging his eighth hat-trick of the season in Saturday’s 7-3 thrashing of Getafe alongside a photo of Ancelotti and himself.
Former Chelsea manager Ancelotti has said if he is relieved of his duties by Real he will undergo surgery on a back problem and take a break from the game despite offers from some of Europe’s leading clubs.
“I can assure you that I have not lacked opportunities, from Italy, England and Germany," Ancelotti, 55, told Il Giornale. "And I will not lack [offers] between now and next year.
"But I said it in the press conference and I repeat: I will stop for a year, also because I have a very serious reason for stopping.
"I have to have an operation because of my cervical stenosis. For some time, it has been affecting my hands and if I lose any more time, it could pass into legs, so I have an appointment for surgery.
"And, frankly, I do not know how long I have to be physically stopped, in terms of the post-operative phase and the subsequent rehabilitation.”
Napoli's Spanish boss Rafael Benitez is odds-on favourite to succeed Ancelotti.
