Florentino Perez 'still backing Carlo Ancelotti'

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has retained the backing of club president Florentino Perez, according to a report.

With much of the Real squad away on international duty this week, the pair met on Friday following the heavy 4-0 defeat to Barcelona in El Clasico on Sunday.

Despite the hammering, Marca are reporting that Perez expressed his full support for the Italian boss for the remainder of the campaign, in the wake of the widespread criticism aimed in his direction following the defeat to the Catalans.

Perez is said to be pleased with the work of Ancelotti and his side so far this season, with Los Blancos boasting a nine-point advantage in the race for the La Liga title and having booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League as well.

Real return to league action at Celta Vigo on April 2 when the international break comes to an end, before travelling to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea in the first leg of their latest European tie on April 6.

Ancelotti signed a contract until 2024 upon his return to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in June 2021, after previously managing in the Spanish capital for two seasons between 2013 and 2015.