Carlo Ancelotti has firmly dismissed reports suggesting he will leave Real Madrid at the end of the 2024-25 season, stating his intention to remain at the club for at least four more years. The Italian manager, who has led Madrid to multiple Champions League and La Liga titles across two stints, is under contract until 2026.
Setting the Record Straight
On Monday, Spanish radio station Onda Cero claimed that Ancelotti was planning to depart the Santiago Bernabeu after the current campaign. Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso was even touted as a potential successor. However, Ancelotti refuted these claims during a press conference ahead of Real Madrid’s Champions League clash with Salzburg.
“I want to be very clear,” Ancelotti emphasized. “I won’t decide my departure date from this club. I know the day will come, but when that day will come, I don’t know. It could be tomorrow, after the next game, in a year, or in five years.”
A Long-Term Vision
Ancelotti expressed his desire to remain at Madrid for the next four years, coinciding with club president Florentino Perez’s tenure, which runs until 2029.
“I have a target,” Ancelotti said. “Florentino will be here for another four years. He knows me well, and my goal is to stay here for those four years. We can leave together with all the affection in the world!”
Champions League Challenges
Despite a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Atalanta in their last Champions League outing, Madrid find themselves 20th in the 26-team table, four points shy of automatic qualification for the round of 16. Ancelotti has set a clear objective for his team: win their remaining two matches.
“There are not many options other than to win the two remaining matches,” he said. “Tomorrow’s game is vital. If we don’t make the top eight, we’ll approach the knockout playoff with full strength. The schedule will be demanding, but we are used to it.”
Areas for Improvement
While Ancelotti praised his team’s attacking prowess, he admitted that their defensive shortcomings need urgent attention if they are to compete for silverware this season.
“Offensively, we’re performing very well, but defensively we need to improve a lot,” he acknowledged. “This will be the key to success this season. If we improve defensively, we’ll fight to the end in all competitions.”
What’s Next for Real Madrid?
Real Madrid will host Salzburg on Wednesday in a must-win Champions League match. With their European title defense hanging in the balance, Ancelotti and his team face immense pressure to deliver.
For now, the veteran manager remains focused on guiding Madrid to success, silencing speculation about his future, and building a legacy that could extend well beyond 2025.
