Ancelotti clears retirement talks amidst Real Madrid form: Will have to fire me

Real Madrid's Carlo Ancelotti reaffirmed his commitment to the club despite recent setbacks, emphasizing his focus on improving performance and dismissing any thoughts of retirement amid swirling rumors about his future.

In Short

• Ancelotti dismissed retirement rumours amidst Real Madrid's recent struggles
• Real Madrid lost to FC Barcelona and AC Milan consecutively
• Ancelotti's contract at Real Madrid was extended till 2026

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti emphasised that he has no intention of retiring or leaving the club anytime soon, unless Real Madrid’s management decides otherwise. Despite recent struggles, including a 4-0 defeat to FC Barcelona in El Clasico followed by a disappointing Champions League loss to AC Milan, Ancelotti clarified in a press conference ahead of their LaLiga clash against Osasuna that his focus remains solely on guiding Los Blancos back to winning form.

Ancelotti’s current contract with Real Madrid runs until the summer of 2026, yet rumours have swirled around a possible early exit. Many speculate that Xabi Alonso, the former Real Madrid player now managing Bayer Leverkusen with notable success, could be a favored successor. These speculations have sparked debate amongst fans and analysts, especially following the team’s recent defensive lapses and lack of sharpness against top-tier teams. However, Ancelotti reiterated that he’s prioritising Real Madrid’s immediate challenges over any speculation regarding his long-term future.

“What could make me retire? I would say if Real Madrid fired me (laughs). I don’t know what would make me stop. My family? No. My wife wants me to continue!”

While the recent string of poor results has attracted criticism of Ancelotti’s tactics and decision-making, he remains undeterred. The Italian coach pointed out that he’s more focused on addressing the current issues than on external criticisms or media discussions about his future. The two consecutive home losses, first against Barcelona and then to Milan, have heightened scrutiny, yet Ancelotti believes his experience and track record can help him steer the team out of this rough patch.

Ancelotti is determined to tackle Real Madrid's performance issues head-on, viewing his role at the club as more than just a job, but a commitment to Los Blancos’ values and success. By concentrating on the present season and Real Madrid’s objectives, Ancelotti is hoping to reignite the team’s morale and quell the circulating rumors. As he stated, his future will depend on Real Madrid’s wishes, but he has no plans to leave on his own.