Despite rumors linking him to the open position of head coach for Brazil, Carlo Ancelotti has stated he wants to stay at Real Madrid but has also acknowledged “the future is unknown.”
Since previous coach Tite left after the 2022 World Cup, Ancelotti’s name has been closely associated with the Selecao, and some of his Brazilian players at Madrid have spoken candidly about it during the gap in international play.
Ednaldo Rodrigues, president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), recently expressed interest in naming the former manager of Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain as the future coach of the national team.
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday ahead of Madrid’s LaLiga clash with Real Valladolid, Ancelotti seemed to pledge his allegiance to Los Blancos, though stopped short of confirming he would not ultimately take the Brazil role.
“The only thing that concerns me right now is to be successful with this club,” he said.
“I will remain here for as long as Real Madrid want me to. I feel affection from the president, from the players, from the fans.
“Also the atmosphere here is quite calm, quite good, and we have two months ahead in which we will try to win some titles and hopefully I will continue here as Real Madrid head coach.”
He added: “The truth is that the Brazil national team wants me, they are interested in me and I love that. But then you have to respect contracts and there’s a current contract with Real Madrid and I would like to continue here.”
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The 63-year-old has a deal at the Santiago Bernabeu until 2024, but despite winning LaLiga, the Supercopa de Espana and the Champions League last season, has come under some pressure after falling away from Barcelona in the title race this time round.
“Everyone can think or say what they want, but reality is reality,” he said. “In this case it’s quite simple, I have a contract with Real Madrid and I want to continue here.
“I love this club and everything that can happen later, I don’t know. The future is unknown.”
Ancelotti also insisted the rumours about him and some of his players whose contract situations remain up in the air is not affecting preparations as the club aim to end the campaign strongly in the league, Copa del Rey and Champions League.
“We do not talk about these rumours in the dressing room, all we are focused on is Valladolid, Barcelona, Chelsea – all these big games coming up,” he said.