BERLIN, Sept. 20 -- Carlo Ancelotti seems to keep his balance even in stormy seas. Despite rumors that he has received an offer for 2018 from China and the troublesome weeks at his club Bayern Munich, the 58-year-old is far from losing his temper.
While his team answered speculation about a crisis by recording two easy league wins (Mainz/4-0 - Schalke/3-0), their coach appears as calm as ever even with the clashes against Paris St Germain in the Champions League, RB Leipzig in the German Cup and the German "classic" against Borussia Dortmund looming.
The Italian even ignores suggestions that he has lost full control over his squad and the impression that team-leaders like Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery, and Thomas Mueller are the ones deciding the team's tactics and line-up.
Some pundits praise Ancelotti's character as a mediator and peace-maker who has the unique ability to keep a squad full of strong egos together and help the team develop ambition.
Others accuse him of having lost interest and desire and all that he does is to make sure he does not interfere. Things seem to be already decided - Ancelotti will leave at the end of the season, or earlier and Bayern are said to already have a deal in place with TSG Hoffenheim coach Julian Nagelsmann.
"It looks like as if Bayern are ready for a change," Arrigo Sacchi commented. Sacchi was Ancelotti's mentor in Italy. Ancelotti has lost his enthusiasm Sacchi stressed. "You get older and lose some of the total will you once had," the 71-year old said. Ancelotti claims to still have the heart for football and Bayern. "I'm full of energy," he said.
No matter which theory is right, Ancelotti's calmness is remarkable.
That the three-time Champions League winner is a man loving life and its pleasures like good food and a reasonable amount of wine is nothing new. However, it is rather unusual for a football coach to invite his biggest critics for a dinner after the season to talk things over and have a good time.
"The team's key players have taken over," wrote the German newspaper "Die Welt." Robben was allowed to advise his coach to from now on consider Thomas Mueller when picking the starting eleven and not to forget about Franck Ribery - without club leaders like president Uli Hoeness or CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge reprimanding him. "We have more options with Mueller, a better game is possible," said the Dutchman who continued, "If we want to win titles, we need Ribery."
Ancelotti kept calm. Some assume an offer from China is making things easy for him.
Mueller has demanded a permanent place in the team. Ribery surprised club officials with an angry outburst when throwing away his shirt away in disgust after being substituted ten minutes before the final whistle. Robert Lewandowski called Bayern's transfers this season only "average" (talking about James) and demanded world class transfers. Lewandowski and Robben accused each other of not passing the ball. Ancelotti returned to daily work without getting upset in public.
Admirers like Real Madrid's superstar Cristiano Ronaldo insist, his calmness in dark hours is Ancelotti's key to success.
But are things that simple? Former Bayern and Liverpool player Dietmar Hamann speaks of Ancelotti being "slowly dismantled". "I miss support for the coach from Bayern's club leaders," Hamann commented.
The real challenges like the league and cup clashes against Paris St Germain, RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund are yet to come so it's too early to speak about a happy end in Munich.
To ease the tension in his team, Ancelotti recently arranged a friendly between the club's coaching staff and the first team, knowing that beating the coaches might create a good mood among his players.
When former Real Madrid striker James Rodriguez was criticized for a poor performance in his first games, the Italian stayed patient waiting for the right moment. In Schalke, James was the man responsible for two brilliant assists and scored a goal himself. At least that evening Ancelotti felt like a winner.