Real Madrid News
Mbappe coy on future amid Real Madrid links following PSG’s Champions League exit
On Wednesday night, PSG suffered yet another Round of 16 exit from the UEFA Champions League as Bayern Munich secured a 3-0 aggregate win over the French champions to send them packing from the tournament.
This comes as yet another blow to the expensively-assembled PSG side who could now face a battle to keep hold of their top stars after yet another failure in Europe.
Neymar seems to be set for an exit while Lionel Messi’s contract expires in the summer. And Kylian Mbappe continues to be linked with a move to Real Madrid even though he signed a new contract only last year.
Indeed, after flirting with Real Madrid over a possible free transfer, the French superstar ended up signing a new two-year contract with Les Parisiens which expires in 2024.
While the deal has the option to extend by another twelve months, the player needs to green-light the activation. In case Mbappe does not, he could be available this summer as he would be in the final year of his contract or could depart as a free agent in 2024.
Following the defeat to Bayern last night, Mbappe was asked about his future in Paris and whether the UCL exit changes things for him. In response, the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner appeared coy, as he said (h/t RMC Sport):
“Am I thinking about my future? No, no, I’m calm, said Mbappé. The only thing that matters to me this season is winning the championship. Afterwards, we’ll see.”
Despite being burnt by the Frenchman once already, Real Madrid remain interested in securing his services and will be involved in his pursuit this summer as he enters the final year of his contract.
It will certainly be interesting to see whether Mbappe angles for a move away from Parc des Princes this summer after yet another failure in Europe or decides to hang around for another year at which point he could be able to leave as a free agent.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid not contemplating rehiring Jose Mourinho with Ancelotti’s future uncertain
Carlo Ancelotti’s uncertain future has caused a severe rise in reports over potential replacements for the manager post at Real Madrid. There is no shortage of options for the administration at the Santiago Bernabeu as they continue to scout the right man to take the team forward.
Jose Mourinho was one of the candidates speculated to be considered internally at the club. However, MARCA has come out to deny such a possibility. As it stands, Real Madrid do not consider the return of the former manager as an option.
Over the past few years, it has become common to see the Merengues look towards managers for a second stint. The formula worked wonders when they brought back Zinedine Zidane in 2019 for a new term and he pioneered a ten-match winning streak to give his side the edge over Barcelona to clinch La Liga.
Their next step led them to Ancelotti, who had already managed the team before, and the result was similar. In the first season of his second stint, he led Los Blancos to the UEFA Champions League and La Liga.
It is thus not surprising that Mourinho’s name has re-emerged as a candidate to arrive next summer. The Portuguese led the side from 2010-2013 and took down Barcelona’s golden generation to win one La Liga, one Copa Del Rey and one Spanish Super Cup. The Champions League was the one big void in his achievements in Spain.
The 60-year-old tactician currently serves as the manager of AS Roma in Serie A and has seen moderate success at the club. The Italians sit fifth on the table with 14 wins in 27 games. They have scored 35 goals and conceded 26 in their league run so far.
A second stint at the Santiago Bernabeu, however, is not on the cards for the Portuguese.
