Following a 4-2 win over Sevilla in La Liga, Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti stressed that he never feared for his future even when Los Blancos embarked on a run of poor results earlier this season.
By easily seeing off the Andalusians at the Bernabeu, in what was their last fixture of 2024, Ancelotti's men rose to second place in the Spanish top fight just a point behind crosstown rivals Atletico Madrid.
Though the year has ended well with Madrid's improved standing in the title race, plus clinching the Intercontinental Cup at Pachuca's expense in Qatar earlier this week, there was a rough patch earlier in the current campaign peppered by defeats both domestically and in the Champions League.
Ancelotti was heavily criticized, but he weathered the storm and claimed not to have had his feathers ruffled when asked whether he feared for his future.
"I've never feared for my position, even though I know what my job is like when things don't go well. The club has always shown me affection, calm, and has supported me a lot. That's what a coach needs," Ancelotti said at his post-match press conference.
Identifying when rock bottom was hit, Ancelotti pinpointed a 3-1 loss to his former club AC Milan on the continent which came the week after a 4-0 pummelling in El Clasico against FC Barcelona.
"It was after losing against Milan," he said. "We've fixed things by speaking very clearly. We knew what the problem could be. We have come back and we've fixed it".
Self-criticism is a highly valued virtue in Spain, and Ancelotti explained that Madrid's was that "we lacked attitude, commitment and running".
"We've returned to doing things as they have to be done. After losing against Milan it has been a very demanding two months, but little by little we have done things well again. We end the year well and with enthusiasm for 2025," he said.
As for what he has planned for the holidays, Ancelotti said: "I'll rest first".
"We've given each player a programme of three training sessions and they will not lose anything. We have a game very soon against Valencia. I'm happy that the players can rest."
The Valencia clash on January 3 is particularly important, as it is the game in hand that Madrid has on Barca, and which can help open up a four-point gap over the Catalans through a win.