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. |