Carlo Ancelotti on Saturday ended any doubt about his immediate future by saying he would honor the final year of his contract with Real Madrid amid interest from the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).
CBF president Ednaldo Rodriguez said in March that Ancelotti would be an obvious choice to take over the vacant position of first-team coach, if it was available at the end of the European season.
And after the humiliating defeat of Real Madrid 4-0 against Manchester City in the second leg of the Champions League final last Wednesday, speculation increased that his position was under threat with the failure also to win the Spanish League title, which was snatched by arch-rivals Barcelona four rounds before the end.
Ancelotti said in a press conference with obvious annoyance after being asked about Brazil’s interest again: Everyone knows very well what my position is: I have a contract until the end of the 2024 season and I want to stay.
And when a journalist asked if the club had assured him that he would stay, Ancelotti replied with certainty: Yes!
However, Real Madrid has not issued any official statement about Ancelotti’s future.
Club president Florentino Perez gave a vague answer when he was asked about the Italian coach after Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory in the King’s Cup final.
Ancelotti had a short stint with Perez, who sacked him in 2015, one year after leading Real Madrid to their long-awaited 10th Champions League title.
Ancelotti said in response to a question about how he evaluated the 2022-2023 season: It could have been a better season, but it was good. Of course, we are not satisfied with the league, but we fought to the end in the other leagues, and won three of them.
Ancelotti was referring to the King’s Cup, the Club World Cup and the European Super Cup.
