Backheel Breakfast: Real Madrid, Manchester City might stick with their managers

With Real Madrid blowing their last two games in rather embarrassing fashion, ensuring they won’t win a trophy this season, one might assume that Carlo Ancelotti is on his way out. And while he could always get fired, he admitted on Wednesday night that he’d like to stay at Madrid.

And coincidentally, at the same time, news leaked out that Manchester City plan on keeping Manuel Pellegrini around. He was assumed to be a dead man walking after losing the Manchester Derby, but with Pep Guardiola saying he’s staying at Bayern Munich, they’d rather give their current boss another shot than play musical managers.

Max Allegri is a revelation at Juventus. Luis Enrique got some more job security by beating Bayern. There’s no indication that Arsene Wenger or Louis van Gaal wants to retire. Liverpool appear to be backing Brendan Rodgers. Is Jurgen Klopp even going to be employed next season?

La Liga games will not be cancelled by a strike. (AS)

Brad Friedel has decided to retire. (@SpursOfficial)

Fans shouted insults at Gareth Bale as he left the Bernabeu on Wednesday. (Telegraph)

Patrice Evra: “I will make sure Suarez feels me on the pitch.” (Mirror)

Leighton Baines has had season-ending ankle surgery and will also miss England games. (BBC)

Gedion Zelalem’s switch to the U.S. has been cleared by FIFA and he will play in the Under-20 World Cup. (Stars and Stripes FC)

Here are some awesome pictures of top managers in their offices. (MARCA)

David Marples on why babies doing laps of honor is stupid. (The Set Pieces)

Mike Goodman asks what’s next for Pep Guardiola. (Grantland)

Blair Newman went to Edinburgh’s “other” derby, not Hibs-Hearts. (In Bed With Maradona)

The section in which nothing should be taken seriously. It’s rumor season, so this section will be expanded, and as the summer rolls on, will probably be bigger than the actual news section.

QPR says Charlie Austin is going to cost a lot. (London Evening Standard)

Man City still want Kevin de Bruyne. (Mirror)

AC Milan might win the race for Gabriel Barbosa aka Gabigol. (Football Italia)

Arsene Wenger wants Mario Götze. (Telegraph)

Juventus put in a great performance to draw Real Madrid and advance.

Here’s the highlights of Santos-Tigres and Pachuca-America. (Futbol Picante)

Chris Rolfe did everything for DC United again. (MLS)

Dnipro vs. Napoli (3:05 p.m.) - The Ukrainians are favorites after a 1-1 draw in Italy.

Fiorentina vs. Sevilla (3:05 p.m.) - Sevilla are the defending champs, and they’re headed to the final again.

Racing vs. Wanderers (5:30 p.m.) - Racing are the clear favorites after a 1-1 away draw.

Queretaro vs. Veracruz (8 p.m.) - The least high profile of the Liguilla ties, but potentially the most fun.

Boca Juniors vs. River Plate (8 p.m.) - One of two big Clásicos on Thursday. River lead 1-0.

Chivas vs. Atlas (10 p.m.) - The other big Clásico. This will likely get heated and very ugly.

Atletico Nacional vs. Emelec (10:30 p.m.) - Emelec won 2-0 at home to put themselves in a great position.