Bosnia And Herzegovina
Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
Indonesia
South Korea

Ancelotti deals Alonso blow as he comments on Real Madrid future amid exit talk

talksport.com, 21 January 2025, 15:27
Carlo Ancelotti has no plans to leave Real Madrid anytime soon.

The Italian has held the position of head coach since 2021 and has led the Spanish giants to two league titles and two Champions League triumphs in that time.

Speculation has mounted over Ancelotti's long term future at the club with the 65-year-old previously tipped for a move into international management with Brazil.

It was believed the move would pave the way for Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso to take over at the Santiago Bernabeu.

But Ancelotti's recent stance appears to pour cold water on any potential move for Alonso.

That's because the Italian has expressed a desire to remain at the helm for another four years, in line with Florentino Perez.

Read more on football

Jude Bellingham joins exclusive club by replicating David Beckham during Real Madrid win

Carlo Ancelotti confuses Real Madrid fans with Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe policy

The Real Madrid president was re-elected for a fresh four-year term on Sunday - his fifth in succession.

Perez first appointed Ancelotti in 2013 where he steered Madrid to the first of his three Champions League titles at the club.

His re-appointment four years ago has proved to be a masterstroke with Madrid continuing to display their European dominance.

Discussing his future, Ancelotti says he hopes his future is tied to that of the club president.

Most read in Football

Man United legends next to feel force of brutal INEOS bosses as cost cutting continues

Why there is no 12:30pm Premier League game on Saturday as fixture is moved to odd time

Arsenal Invincible gets into heated clash over Tottenham's struggles

'Liar' - Cunha slams reporter as boss Vitor Pereira publicly calls out Wolves star

"I want to be very clear. The date of departure from this club is never going to be decided by me in my life," Ancelotti said.

"I know perfectly well that it will come one day, but the day is not decided by me. It could be tomorrow or in one or five years.

"I have the advantage that Florentino will be here for four more years and I have the goal of reaching them with him. We can say goodbye together."

His comments are at odds with reports that surfaced this week claiming Ancelotti had already communicated his plan to step down as manager at the end of the season, enabling the club to pursue Alonso.

Ahead of Leverkusen's crunch Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid this week, Alonso was pressed on his future plans.

"Already questions on Real Madrid?" Alonso joked. "Time goes by but the affection remains.

"Our bond is very strong, that is clear, but my total focus is on Bayer Leverkusen now, that's in my mind. I'm calm. I have enough things to worry about, it's not on my mind right now."

Both Ancelotti and Alonso are contracted to their respective clubs until 2026, however the Spaniard is expected to leave his post this summer to seek a new challenge.

But his next move could hinge on how Real Madrid's season pans out.

Los Merengues took top spot at the weekend following their comfortable 4-1 win over Las Palmas while Atletico Madrid and Barcelona both dropped points.

Summer signing Kylian Mbappe was on target twice in the victory taking his tally to 17 goals for the season.

The Frenchman appears to be finding his feet in the Spanish capital after a difficult start compounded by a challenging few days in December when he missed penalties in the defeats at Athletic Club and Liverpool leading to a barrage of criticism.

Since the defeat in Bilbao, Mbappe has scored eight goals in ten appearances, helping fire Madrid to the La Liga summit.

"When you see that you have not helped the team it is normal that it impacts you," Mbappe said on Tuesday. "Playing here (with Madrid) is a great opportunity for me.

Inside Real Madrid's dressing room celebrations as Carlo Ancelotti gives players a day off after beating Barcelona

"After the match (at Athletic Club) my mentality changed. I couldn't do any worse.

"When you are a player like me, with everything that was expected of me, it is normal that people talk bad about me.

"I knew I could change the situation and I have changed the situation. I am very happy."

Mbappe could become the eighth player to reach 75 goal involvements in Champions League history on Wednesday night.

Real Madrid take on RB Salzburg as they look to reach the knockout stage of the competition.

Read More on talkSPORT

Shaun Murphy banks record-breaking prize money in 50-year history of the Masters

Kris Boyd may have played final Texans game for pushing coach in moment of chaos

They could, though, have to play in a knockout phase play-off match if they finish between ninth and 24th in the table.

Los Blancos currently sit 20th with nine points from six games.

Show more

Top News

11 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Tranmere vs. Fleetwood (Tuesday, 7.45pm) Looking to turn their fortunes around, struggling Tranmere Rovers welcome Fleetwood Town for their rescheduled matchday 16 League Two fixture this Tuesday. 11 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Coventry vs. QPR (Tuesday, 7.45pm) Frank Lampard's Coventry City will hope to bounce back from FA Cup disappointment when they host Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday in the Championship at the Coventry Arena. 11 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Brest vs. PSG (Tuesday, 5.45pm) Frequent foes in the French top flight, Paris Saint-Germain and Brest swap Ligue 1 for the Champions League on Tuesday evening, colliding in the first leg of their playoff tie at the Stade Francis-Le Ble. 11 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has predicted the winner of the knockout round playoff tie with Manchester City will go on to win the Champions League. 11 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti have addressed the controversy from the 2024 Ballon d'Or awards ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash between their respective sides. 10 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal midfielder Jorginho has reportedly reached an agreement to join Brazilian side Flamengo in the summer. 10 February 2025 talksport.com Manchester City must axe Pep Guardiola if they fail to get past Real Madrid in the Champions League. 10 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Separated by five points in the middle of the Championship table, Swansea City and Sheffield Wednesday will square off in South Wales on Wednesday. 10 February 2025 talksport.com Abdoulaye Doucoure has criticised Frank Lampard's treatment of him during his time as Everton manager. 10 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Barcelona defender Alejandro Balde during the summer transfer window. 10 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal are reportedly growing in confidence that they will complete the signing of Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia this summer after last year's failed move. 10 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has reportedly attracted interest from Chelsea and Newcastle United ahead of the summer transfer window. 10 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk The pick of Tuesday's Champions League playoff first-leg matches undoubtedly comes from the Etihad, where 2022-23 winners Manchester City and current holders Real Madrid square off in a clash of the titans. 10 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly prepared to let Casemiro leave on loan to Flamengo before the end of the month. 10 February 2025 talksport.com Stars of the FA Cup fourth round Plymouth Argyle have been rewarded for their stunning win over Liverpool by being drawn against Manchester City. 10 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Plymouth Argyle have been handed another mammoth task in the FA Cup fifth round having been drawn against Manchester City. 10 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Benfica travel to the Stade Louis II for the second time this season to face Monaco in the Champions League knockout round playoffs on Wednesday night. 10 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool go to Goodison Park for a Merseyside derby against Everton for the final time on Wednesday night in the 245th iteration of the fixture. 10 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City's "best chance" of quelling the "almighty threat" of Real Madrid in the Champions League could be to select almost the same defence that excelled during their treble-winning season, Citizens expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany has told Sports Mole. 10 February 2025 talksport.com Manchester City host Real Madrid this Tuesday night in the first leg of their Champions League play-off blockbuster. 10 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Abdukodir Khusanov performed well in Man City's FA Cup win over Leyton Orient and there were signs to suggest that he has the potential to develop into a "special player", Citizens expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany has told Sports Mole. 10 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers will ring the changes again when they welcome Bayern Munich to Glasgow in the Champions League on Wednesday. 10 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich could be largely unchanged from the team that beat Werder Bremen when they go to Celtic in the Champions League on Wednesday night. 10 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Celtic will play their first Champions League knockout match for 12 years when they welcome German giants Bayern Munich to Glasgow on Wednesday night. 10 February 2025 talksport.com Joao Felix has admitted he'd welcome the opportunity to stay at AC Milan despite being on loan from Chelsea. 10 February 2025 talksport.com A former Chelsea midfielder has returned to the UK in a new role over a decade after becoming a pastor in Canada. 10 February 2025 talksport.com While Harry Kane is well on course to win the first trophy of his career, he's already got numbers two and three on his mind. 10 February 2025 talksport.com A former Premier League star has quietly resigned from his latest managerial post after just 20 days. 10 February 2025 talksport.com Plymouth goalkeeper Conor Hazard hailed 'incredible' Pilgrims manager Miron Muslic after their FA Cup giant-killing of Liverpool. 10 February 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Joao Felix has revealed whether he would be willing to consider a permanent transfer from Chelsea to AC Milan during the summer.
Something went wrong! Don't hesitate to let us know if you need any help.