Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has admitted that the club may consider replacing him following their Champions League quarter-final exit at the hands of Arsenal on Wednesday night.
The Gunners stunned the Champions League holders with a 2-1 win at the Santiago Bernabéu, completing a 5-1 aggregate victory to reach the semi-finals of the competition.
Speaking after the match, Ancelotti acknowledged that his time at the club could soon come to an end.
“It could be that the club decide to change [coach], it could be this year — or the next when my contract expires, there’s no problem,” he told reporters.
“The day that I leave here I can only thank the club. It could be tomorrow, in 10 days, in a month or a year, but all I can do will be to thank the club — if my contract’s up or not, I don’t care.”
The Italian tactician, who rejoined Madrid in 2021, has overseen a sharp dip in form this season, with the Arsenal loss marking Real Madrid’s 12th defeat, in stark contrast to just two defeats across all competitions last season.
Real Madrid have recently been linked with possible replacements, including former Madrid midfielder and current Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso, as well as ex-Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp.
Despite the European setback, Ancelotti pointed out that Madrid remain in contention for other titles.
“The team gave everything in terms of attitude, but we weren’t able to do it,” he said.
“To be honest, Arsenal defended very well. We found it hard to find space. In terms of intensity, we were better, but it was not enough.”
