Carlo Ancelotti reiterates desire to continue as Real Madrid boss

The 63-year-old returned to Los Blancos for a second spell in 2021, and he enjoyed a hugely successful 2021-22 campaign at the helm, winning La Liga, the UEFA Super Cup and the Champions League.

Real Madrid are still on for a treble this term, currently sitting second in the La Liga table, nine points behind leaders Barcelona, while they are in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey and quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Ancelotti has a contract at Bernabeu until June 2024, but there has been speculation surrounding his future, with Brazil thought to be keen to appoint the Italian as their new head coach.

The experienced manager was quizzed about his future during his press conference to preview Real Madrid's La Liga clash with Barcelona on Sunday night.

Ancelotti said that it will be up to the club to decide whether he continues as head coach, but the Italian would be prepared to stay 'for the rest of his life'.

"My evaluation is something that the club has to do and not me. I have already said that I would like to stay for the rest of my life but I know that this is impossible. Whatever happens, the club will decide at the end of the season," the Italian told reporters.

"My thought is to continue and what the club decides will be what counts. If they want me, I will enjoy it. If not, I will enjoy it for as long as I have left. I will be grateful for life."

There is pressure on Real Madrid to pick up a positive result against Barcelona, with the reigning champions nine points behind the Catalan outfit ahead of Sunday's El Clasico.

"We have a disadvantage in the league and in the cup. Not in the Champions League. We're only thinking about reducing the points tomorrow against Barcelona," Ancelotti added during his press conference.

"It's very difficult to say what tomorrow's game will be because each one has its own history. Barcelona defended a lot in the cup game, it's true, but this one could be different depending on what happens. If we score, if they score.

"From January 22 until now, the team has done very well. We are in a good moment, we are very motivated and excited.

"The physical data is very good and in the technical and tactical aspect we have improved a lot, we are better in defence. I think we can do very well."

Real Madrid will be without the services of David Alaba on Sunday due to a hamstring injury, but Karim Benzema has been declared fit after recovering from the knock that he suffered against Liverpool.