• Sunday, 22 December 2024

Ancelotti expects to stay despite Madrid flop at City

Ancelotti expects to stay despite Madrid flop at City

Berlin, 18 May 2023 (dpa/MIA) - Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was in reflective but defiant mood after his side meekly surrendered their Champions League crown in a 4-0 semi-final second leg thrashing at Manchester City on Wednesday.

The 5-1 aggregate score leaves the Italian exposed after Madrid also lost their La Liga title to Barcelona - although they did win the Copa del Rey.

But Ancelotti, who last season guided Los Blancos to a record-extending 14th European Cup triumph, told reporters: "Nobody doubts my future, the president was clear 15 days ago."

Real supremo Florentino Perez had backed Ancelotti but is famous for axing coaches after sub-standard seasons.

"It's time to learn from this, to think about next season and to improve," Ancelotti added. "Last season we were capable of beating them and reaching the final. This time it was City's turn.

"We didn't do what was planned, but there's no need for drama."

The 63-year-old, who on the night became the coach with the most Champions League games after breaking Alex Ferguson's record of 190, has been linked with the Brazil national team job.

City inflicted Madrid's joint heaviest defeat away from home in the Champions League.

They face Inter Milan in the final in Istanbul on June 10 after two goals from Bernardo Silva in the first half were added to by Manuel Akanji and Julian Alvarez.

Boss Pep Guardiola, the quickest manager to 100 Champions League wins, told BT Sport: "I say congratulations to all our organization, our chairman, our owner, until the last person because they work with a real purpose and we are there!

"When you reach the Champions League final, you have to celebrate but unfortunately, we won't have time because on Sunday we have the chance to win the Premier League."

Photo: EPA