Carlo Ancelotti has denied reports he will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season and says he wants to stay at the Santiago Bernabeu for another four years.
Ancelotti, who has won three Champions League titles and LaLiga in two spells at Madrid, is under contract in the Spanish capital until 2026.
However, Spanish radio station Onda Cero reported on Monday that the Italian had decided to leave at the end of the season, with Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso linked one coach to Madrid.
However, ahead of Wednesday's Champions League meeting with Salzburg, Ancelotti insisted this was not the case.
Asked if there was any truth to these reports during Tuesday's pre-match press conference, Ancelotti said: “No. I want to be very clear.
“I will not decide my departure date from this club. I know the day will come, but when that day will come, I don't know. I will not decide.”
“It could be tomorrow, after the next game, in a year, or in five years.”
150 – Carlo Ancelotti is the 22nd coach to reach 150 wins in LaLiga history, the second with @realmadrid after Miguel Muñoz (257). Historical. pic.twitter.com/4FIu4NY0bE
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) January 19, 2025
Ancelotti added that he would like to stay at the club for another four years, with club president Florentino Perez remaining at the helm until 2029.
“I have a goal. We have Florentino here for four more years,” Ancelotti said. “He knows me well, and the goal is to stay here for four years. We can leave together with all the affection in the world!”
Despite a 3-2 win over Atalanta on the final matchday of the Champions League, Madrid remain a lowly 20th in the 26-team table, four points behind the automatic last 16 qualifying places.
Ancelotti has set his team a target of two wins to complete their campaign if they are to have any chance of a top-eight finish.
“There are not many options other than winning the two remaining games,” he said. “Winning tomorrow is obviously very important because it won't be long before the group stage ends. Tomorrow is crucial and we will try to play well.”
“However, if we have to play the two-legged knockout play-off, we will play at full strength. The schedule will be even more demanding, but we are used to it.”
Ancelotti added that he was pleased with his forward line but stressed that his team needs improvements in defense if they are to defend their European crown.
“It's difficult to give a grade from one to a hundred to the team at the moment,” he said. “We are performing very well offensively, but defensively we still have to improve a lot.
“This will be the key to success this season. If we do that, we will fight to the end in all competitions.”
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