Carlo Ancelotti denied any questions about his future as Real Madrid coach following their 4-0 thumping by Manchester City in the second leg of the Champions League semifinals on Wednesday.
City led 5-1 on aggregate as Bernardo Silva scored twice in the first half at the Etihad Stadium, before Eder Militao’s own goal and substitute Julian Alvarez’s added-time strike.
After Barcelona was declared Spanish champions on Sunday, Madrid’s semifinal exit means they have missed out on both the Champions League and La Liga this season.
However, Ancelotti, whose contract with the club comes to an end in June 2024, stated that failure to win either title should not raise concerns about his future in charge of Los Blancos next season.
“Nobody doubts,” Ancelotti said in his post-match news conference, “because the president [Florentino Perez] was quite clear two weeks ago. So nobody doubts.”
The Italian coach was reacting to comments made by Perez after Madrid won the Copa del Rey on May 6, defeating Osasuna 2-1 in the final, adding, “I don’t want to hear more about [Ancelotti’s future].” He has a contract, and we are happy.”
On his return to Real Madrid for a second stint in 2021-22, Ancelotti won the LaLiga and Champions League doubles, as well as the Spanish Supercopa, and has added the Copa del Rey, UEFA Super Cup, and Club World Cup this season.
The 4-0 loss against City marks Madrid’s biggest Champions League setback since 2009 when they were defeated by Liverpool in the round of 16 by the same scoreline.
“Making an assessment today, in this moment, doesn’t make sense,” Ancelotti said when asked to explain the performance. “It’s a defeat that hurts, it hurts a lot. But sometimes it can happen in football.
“You get to the Champions League semifinals against a strong opponent, they play better than you and deserve to get to the final. We have to think about next season, the next Champions League, to learn and be better.”
