Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has firmly denied suggestions that he could leave Bernabeu at the end of the campaign.
Recent reports have claimed that the Italian has decided to stand down as Los Blancos manager this summer, with Bayer Leverkusen's Xabi Alonso allegedly being lined up as his replacement.
However, speaking ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash with Red Bull Salzburg, Ancelotti has insisted that no decision has been made regarding his future, and he could stay until 2029, with Florentino Perez remaining as Real Madrid president for another four years.
"The date I leave this club will never be my decision. Florentino will be here for another four years, and he knows me very well. My goal is to stay until then and say goodbye together with all the affection in the world," Ancelotti told reporters on Tuesday.
Ancelotti has a contract at Bernabeu until June 2026, signing his last deal with Los Blancos in December 2023 during a period when he was being heavily linked with the managerial role with the Brazilian national side.
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Ancelotti denies that he will leave Real Madrid this summer
"I feel very much loved in all aspects. By the fans, by the club and also by the media. Sometimes it's a bit exaggerated. They follow the hype, but I don't want to follow it, I want to be rather objective and follow my line," Ancelotti continued during his press conference.
Real Madrid are currently top of the La Liga table, two points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid, while they are through to the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey, with Leganes their opponents next month.
Los Blancos have work to do when it comes to advancing in the Champions League, though, as they currently sit down in 22nd spot in the Champions League table, just one point ahead of 25th-placed Dinamo Zagreb.
As it stands, the reigning champions are facing a playoff to make it to the next stage, but poor results in their final two matches against Salzburg and Brest would almost certainly see them drop out of the playoff spots.
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Real Madrid facing must-win Champions League clash with Salzburg
"It's an important game because the first phase of the Champions League is coming to an end. We have to get as many points as possible and see where we are in the table. Tomorrow's game is a crucial one in this respect. We'll try to play well, as we did in the last one," said Ancelotti.
"The only chance we have is to win the two remaining matches. If we have to play in the play-offs, we'll play as hard as we can. It's a very demanding schedule, but we're used to it.
"We have to separate. Offensively we are performing very well in terms of goals and play. Defensively we have to improve a lot. That will be the key to success this season. If we can improve defensively we'll fight until the end in all competitions."
Real Madrid will enter the match off the back of a 4-1 success over Las Palmas in La Liga, and they will return to domestic action with a clash against Real Valladolid on Saturday night.
Matt Law
