Real Madrid News
Ancelotti reiterates desire to see out his contract at Real Madrid: “I plan to respect it”
Over the past few months, there has been a lot of chatter around the future of Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti.
The Italian tactician has been heavily linked with the vacant manager’s job with the Brazil national team, with the Selecao administration making no secret of their desire to hire the 63-year-old.
At the same time, there have been speculations that Real Madrid themselves might look to change things up next season if Ancelotti does not lead them to a major title this season.
The Merengues’ disappointing displays in La Liga have raised some alarms and a failure to win the Copa del Rey or the UEFA Champions League could spell trouble for Ancelotti.
Despite that, the legendary manager has remained firm on his stance that he has a contract with Real Madrid until 2024 and he wants to see it out.
In a recent interview with Radio1 Rai, Ancelotti reiterated the same desire as he said: “The wind carries the chatter on. And that’s how it is, I have a contract until 30 June 2024 and I would like to fulfil it.”
Ancelotti returned to Real Madrid for a second stint as manager in 2021. Immediately upon returning, the 63-year-old guided the team to the La Liga title and the UEFA Champions League triumph in his first year.
This season, Los Blancos have won the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup. They are in the finals of the Copa del Rey and the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League as well. However, the recent 2-3 defeat to Villarreal all but ended their hopes of defending the La Liga title.
Talking about the season and the hurdles that the team have faced, Ancelotti said: “It’s a very, very demanding season, there are too many games. There was a World Cup in between with 15 of our players playing in it, then the Spanish Super Cup in Arabia, the Club World Cup in Morocco in February.
“The moral of the story is that from 30 December to 20 March we played every three days. In the regular championship, we couldn’t have the continuity of Barcelona. The calendar is absurd and something has to be done there too.
“But we have to play the final of the Copa del Rey and the quarter-finals of the Champions League, the season is still open. And let’s not forget that we have already brought home the European Super Cup and the Club World Cup.”
On the chances of Real Madrid in the Champions League, Ancelotti said: “We believe we can win it, knowing that every game is a difficult, tough and unpredictable obstacle, the Champions League is like that. All eight teams have the desire to reach the final in Istanbul.”
Recently, it emerged that Ancelotti had sent a message to his former protege and AC Milan director Paolo Maldini that they will meet in the UCL finals in Istanbul. Reflecting on those comments, the Real Madrid boss said:
“It was above all a wish for Milan, who I am very fond of. In reality, Milan-Naples will be a very even and very uncertain match. Would it be nice to meet again in Istanbul? For Real, yes, I think so too, but everyone wants to get to Istanbul” .
During the interview, Ancelotti also spoke about the future of his son Davide, who has been linked with the manager’s job at FC Basel. However, Ancelotti Sr. seemed to rule out an immediate move to Switzerland for his son, saying:
“He is finishing the UEFA Pro coach course in Wales, he will finish in May, then he will be able to coach any team. It won’t be Basel, because we feel good here and we want to stay here. The day he will want to start on his own, I think he will.”
He also expressed his dismay at the way VAR was being used, saying: “I have to tell the truth, I’m not very happy with the way it’s being applied: right now it has taken over the refereeing decisions, we resort to VAR too often.
“It was born to correct clear and obvious mistakes, but now its intervention is too much in demand, it needs to be changed a bit. There is still a lot of confusion with the handball decisions.”
Real Madrid News
Harry Kane ‘very close’ to completing Real Madrid move, only final details remain – report
Jude Bellingham’s move to Real Madrid was finally closed earlier today as officially confirmed by Borussia Dortmund on their website. Yet, the offices at Santiago Bernabeu have not even taken a break to celebrate their success.
According to reports from Alfredo Pedullà, Los Blancos are now completely focused on the acquisition of Harry Kane. The English striker’s arrival is very close to approaching closure and only a few details remain to be sorted.
The Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur representatives reportedly held a meeting today over the striker’s transfer. The agenda was to agree on a number for the transfer fee.
The Premier League side began the proceedings with an expectation of €100 to €110 million in exchange for Kane. However, the Merengues suggested a lower point at €80 to €90 million, albeit with the option to include bonuses.
There is not much separating the two parties at the moment, and the minor gap will be bridged in the coming days. Overall, the meeting ended with a broad understanding between the two clubs.
Carlo Ancelotti sees the English striker as the centre-piece of his attack for next season given the recent departure of Karim Benzema. After all, Kane has been one of football’s most consistent goalscorers over the past decade.
Yet, Los Blancos cannot afford to let their guard down with one signing and will need to rope in at least two more names in attack to serve as backup options. The exits of Mariano Diaz, Marco Asensio, and Eden Hazard leave them with no squad depth, after all.
Kane has scored 30, 17, and 23 goals in his last three seasons in the Premier League and is the epitome of consistency. Further, he had three assists in his most recent league season and created 14 big chances.
