"I met with Florentino Perez yesterday" - Carlo Ancelotti issues update on his future amid reports of talks with Zinedine Zidane and Jose Mourinho
Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that he will continue to remain Real Madrid's manager beyond the 2022-23 season.
Real Madrid suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat against Manchester City in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinals after drawing the first leg 1-1 at home. They have also failed to defend their La Liga title, with Barcelona pipping them to the domestic crown.
Nevertheless, Los Blancos will end the current campaign with three titles — the Copa del Rey, FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Supercup. Compared to last season, when they won La Liga, UEFA Champions League and the Supercopa de Espana, it's an underwhelming achievement.
Recent reports have suggested that Real Madrid will part with Ancelotti in the summer, and he will be replaced with either Zinedine Zidane or Jose Mourinho. At a press conference ahead of the club's La Liga game at Valencia, Ancelotti has shed light on his future (via Marca):
"(Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and I) spoke yesterday. We had a meeting, and he showed me his support. We talked about Wednesday's game (against Manchester City). We talked about the season we've had and the two seasons that we've had. We move forward, with the same desire to do things well."
When asked if the club had guaranteed that he would remain in charge next season, Carlo Ancelotti replied in the affirmative:
"Yes."
Brazilian football federation president calls Real Madrid's Carlo Ancelotti "the players’ favourite"
Amidst rumours of his Real Madrid departure, Carlo Ancelotti has been repeatedly linked with taking over as Brazil's national team coach.
Brazilian football federation president Ednaldo Rodrigues has spoken highly of the Italian and called the "players’ favourite" and "a top coach". Rodrigues told Reuters (h/t Evening Standard):
"Ancelotti is unanimously respected among players. Not only Ronaldo Nazario or Vinicius Jr but all those that have played for him. I really admire him for his honesty in the way he works and how constant his work is. He needs no introductions."
He added:
"Ancelotti is not only the players’ favourite but it seems the fans’ too. Everywhere I go in Brazil, in every stadium, he is the first name the supporters ask me about.
"They talk about him in a very affectionate way, in recognition of an exemplary work he has done in his career. He is really a top coach who has several achievements, and we hope he can have even more."
If Carlo Ancelotti accepts the Brazil job, he will become the first European manager to become the country's head coach since Joreca in 1944. While Ancelotti has never coached a national team, he did begin his managerial career as Italy's assistant coach between 1992 and 1995.