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Speculation in recent weeks has been rife about Carlo Ancelotti’s role as manager at Real Madrid. Everyone from Jose Mourinho to Jurgen Klopp has been linked to the big job, though former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez currently seems to be the favourite.
The Italian has failed to secure any silverware with the Galacticos this season (barring the Club World Cup and European Supercup) leading to all the rumours circulating that the management at the Bernabeu will be looking to replace him.
Ancelotti spoke to the media ahead of the last La Liga game of the season against Getafe.
He said: “We have not spoken yet. I've not spoken with club, or them with me.
“I am still thinking as Real Madrid coach, until the club tell me any different. After the game, or on Sunday or Monday, we will meet and talk about the future. My feeling is that I will stay, I would like to continue, am motivated to do so as I like this club, these players.”
When asked further about his future, he added, “It is a moment when the club will make a decision, an important decision.
“I have a good relationship with the club, and will still have it if they decide on a new coach. It is not such a big thing for me. I am happy to continue if that happens, I would like that, but if not I'm happy with my two years here.
“If not I will take my path, and the club their path. But I will always remember two fantastic years - including maybe the happiest moment in Madrid's history [winning the club's 10th European Cup last season]. So I would not think about being sad, but happy at giving everything I could. After that, these are things that can happen in football.”
When asked about Benitez as his potential replacement, he said, “If there is talk of other coaches, I am not annoyed, that is normal.
“There is always lots of talks, lots of names, every year. I am surprised that anybody is surprised by this. Everyone has their opinion, thinks they can coach. Some people think my work is good, others that I could have done better. That is what's great about this world.”
The former Chelsea manager also spoke about the support he received from the players.
“I appreciate what the players say, I have always had a good relationship with them. But this is not their decision, the club must make the call. Personal feelings of the players should not intervene in a decision the club must make.”
Ancelotti also spoke about his retrospection on Real Madrid’s performances this season, saying, “We have had two different seasons, until December it was better than anybody thought. We broke records, won the European Super Cup and World Club Cup.
“February cost us a lot - the draw with Villarreal, the loss in Athletic Bilbao. That hurt us at the end of the season, although we fought until the end.
“We have analysed what happened in this period, during the low points.
“It could be that we need to change something, some small details. Some people say we worked too little in February, we say too much. So it is not big things. I still think that my philosophy, my way of working, is the right way to do things. I have the best staff in the world, best physical preparation coach and best goalkeeping coach.”
When asked if club captain and legend Iker Casillas will play his last game against Getafe, Ancelotti diplomatically replied, “Iker did not ask me to play. It was a decision I made after talking to him and Keylor [Navas].
“Keylor played at Espanyol, and Iker will play the last game. Iker wants to stay, and if he does I believe in the end everyone will be happy.”
