Carlo Ancelotti has disputed that there is a rift at Real Madrid behind the scenes, stating that he will talk with the team about his future at the end of the current campaign.
After Madrid lost to Arsenal 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday, dropping out of the Champions League quarterfinals 5-1 overall, Ancelotti’s job has come under intense scrutiny.
Since moving back to Madrid in 2021, the Italian has won two La Liga and Champions League doubles. However, the squad, which is still in the running for the league title and will play in the Copa del Rey final next week, has lost a number of high-profile games this season.
“I have had conversations with the club and the players. Before Madrid’s La Liga match against Athletic Club on Saturday, Ancelotti said at a press conference, “We are all thinking the same thing, which is to keep fighting for the trophies we have left.”
There is not any conflict with the club. All of us are in the same situation. It is untrue for anyone to claim that there is a confrontation with the club or the president, Florentino Pérez.
Despite having a contract at the Bernabéu until 2026, Ancelotti, who has long piqued Brazil’s interest in leading the men’s national team, said that he and the team will “analyze things at the end of the season,” including the composition of the squad.
“We’re still competing for trophies. We have one [the Copa del Rey final] in a week, and we have the first ever Club World Cup at the end of the season, it wouldn’t be right to do it now,” Ancelotti said.
“All I can do is thank these players, I’ve enjoyed this and I want to keep doing so. We’re still united, we have a great relationship.”
Ancelotti wouldn’t confirm that he would remain in charge of the team for the Club World Cup, where Madrid are due to kick off the group stage against Al Hilal in Miami, Florida, on June 18.
ESPN has previously reported that Bayer Leverkusen coach — and ex-Madrid player — Xabi Alonso is highly rated by the club as a potential successor.
“At the end of the season, I’ll talk about that with the club,” Ancelotti said. “I don’t want to talk about my future today. It’s an obvious question, but I don’t want to talk about it. So all I say is we’ll talk about it with the club at the end of the season.”
Madrid are four points behind Barcelona, who play Celta Vigo on Saturday, in LaLiga, and face Barça in the Copa final in Sevilla on April 26.
The club’s squad planning has faced criticism this season, with the team’s midfield and defence being scrutinised, but Ancelotti said he did not regret not pushing for more signings.
“No, I’ve always had a great relationship with the club and we always will,” he said. “We’ll do everything together. There’ll be no confrontation. Saying there’s a confrontation between the club and me is fooling people.”
