Ancelotti to discuss future in coming days

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has admitted he still doesn’t know if he will be retained by the club for next season.

Los Blancos end their campaign at home to Getafe on Saturday, but will do so without a major trophy to their name after Barcelona sealed the La Liga title last weekend.

Ancelotti led Madrid to their 10th European Cup last season, but widespread reports in the Spanish media have claimed he is to be replaced by Napoli boss Rafael Benitez next week.

“We have still not spoken. I haven’t spoken to the club, nor have they spoken with me,” Ancelotti told a press conference on Friday.

“I continue to believe I am the coach of Real Madrid until the club tell me something different.

“On Sunday or Monday we will meet and talk about my future and that of the club.”

Ancelotti took charge after a trophyless campaign in Jose Mourinho’s final season in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu and also led the club to the Copa del Rey last season.

The European champions followed up that success by winning the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup before Christmas by ending the year on a 22-game winning run.

However, the season came apart after the winter break as they were eliminated from the Cup by Atletico Madrid, beaten by Juventus in the semi-finals of the Champions League and paid for a poor run of form in the league in February and March as Barca surged to the top of the table.

“It is a difficult moment for the club because they are going to take an important decision,” added the Italian.

“If the club changes coach then it doesn’t matter. At the moment I would be happy to stay as coach, that is my wish, but if I don’t continue I will be left with the two fantastic years I had here.”

Madrid’s star-studded dressing room is said to be firmly behind Ancelotti continuing next season, but the former Chelsea and AC Milan boss played down the importance of having the players’ support.

“I thank the players for what they think. We have a very good relationship.

“It is a decision where the players don’t have to be implicated. It is a decision that the club has to take and do what they believe is right. What the players think is something personal and not something that needs to be taken into account in the decision the club will make.”