Carlo Ancelotti is preparing for next season as Real Madrid Coach but has declined to say if he’ll renew his contract at Santiago Bernabeu.
Ancelotti has conducted a radio interview with Tiempo Extra in which he discussed a number of topics, including Madrid’s approach against Malaga, the future of captain Iker Casillas and James Rodriguez’s return to fitness.
On his own future, Ancelotti was more circumspect, arguing that there’s no rush for him to sign a new deal.
“I have another entire year to see if I renew or not,” he pointed out, AS reports.
“I’m not in a hurry. If the club hasn’t contacted me yet they might do in September, or maybe they don’t call me. I’m not going to ask for a contract extension.
“Coaches are dependent on results. I’m preparing for next season.”
It has been reported today that Porto boss Julen Lopetegui is on Madrid’s radar should Ancelotti leave, a prospect that would come closer to fruition if Madrid are knocked out of the Champions League quarter-finals by Atletico Madrid, the story goes.
“I have watched [the 0-0 draw with Atletico]. I feel good about the game because the team played well,” Ancelotti revealed when talk turned to Europe.
“It’s hard to play better at a very difficult place, but we’re not satisfied with the result. It wasn’t ideal, but we play at home next and that’s what counts.
“Gareth Bale had no luck. Jan Oblak was fantastic and closed the goal. The credit is his.
“It was our best derby of the season, yes. In the Supercopa and the Copa del Rey we didn’t play good games, not even in the League.
“All the world knows we are going to give our maximum in the next one.
“Marcelo is banned on Wednesday but I’m not going to complain. It happens. Mario Suarez is banned as well.
“Marcelo’s absence doesn’t worry me because we can replace him. The most suitable is [Fabio] Coentrao. He was fantastic in the semi-final last year and if he’s fit, he’ll play.
“Coentrao is very intense in matches but he has to keep that intensity in training. He doesn’t always and there are repercussions for his physical condition. He has to do it to avoid injury.”
Ancelotti also touched on the other Champions League quarter-finals played in the week, noting that with other results, Madrid’s 0-0 doesn’t look so bad.
“I saw two matches on Wednesday. Paris Saint-Germain had too many absentees to compete against Barca,” he said of his old side.
“Bayern Munich began with two defensive errors. After seeing what happened, our 0-0 is a fantastic result.
“I follow PSG closely. I still love these players and this team.”
