Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti says he would understand if the club decides to replace him, following their Champions League exit at the hands of Arsenal.
Madrid lost 2-1 at home on Wednesday night, crashing out of the competition with a heavy 5-1 defeat on aggregate. It was the Spanish giants’ 12th loss of the season—far worse than the previous campaign, where they only lost twice.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Ancelotti said he’s at peace with whatever decision the club makes about his future.
“The club might want to change the coach—maybe this year, or next when my contract ends. I have no problem with that,” said the 64-year-old Italian.
“Whenever I leave, whether it’s tomorrow, in 10 days, or next year, I’ll just be thankful to the club.”
There have been strong rumours linking Real Madrid with Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso, a former Madrid player, and Jurgen Klopp, who recently left Liverpool.
Despite the Champions League loss, Ancelotti reminded fans that Madrid are still in the running for other trophies, including La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the FIFA Club World Cup this summer.
He also praised Arsenal’s solid defending and admitted his team struggled to break them down.
“The team gave it their all. In terms of attitude, we were good,” he said. “But Arsenal defended really well. We couldn’t find space. Even though we had the intensity, it wasn’t enough.”
The defeat raises questions about what’s next for the Madrid bench, but for now, Ancelotti says he remains focused on finishing the season strong.
