Ancelotti committed to Real Madrid amid Roma rumors

Carlo Ancelotti has admitted he hopes to stay at Real Madrid “for as long as possible” amid rumors linking him with the head coaching job at his former club Roma.

Speaking to Radio Anch’io Sport, Ancelotti played down a possible move to the Serie A club, with whom he spent eight years as a player from 1979-1987.

The 65-year-old manager, the most successful in the history of the UEFA Champions League, was in Madrid for a total of six years in two terms, winning 15 trophies during that time.

His current deal with Los Blancos runs until the summer of 2026, although Ancelotti has said he would be open to extending his stay in the Spanish capital indefinitely.

🚨 Carlo Ancelotti: “A job in Roma? I am very happy at Real Madrid. I want to stay here as long as possible”.

“My contract? You never know how long you stay…contracts can be terminated, but they can also be extended!” he told Radio Anch’io Lo Sport. pic.twitter.com/enZToWEF34

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 30, 2024

“Roma? There is a lot of talk about it,” he said. “But I’m very happy at Real Madrid and I’m working to stay here as long as possible.

“It’s an honor and a pleasure to coach Real Madrid, winning is never easy, but it’s a little easier here than in other places.”

Madrid is currently going through a season of ups and downs. They are second in La Liga, one point behind leaders and city rivals Atletico, but are 20th in the new-look Champions League table and in real danger of missing out on automatic qualification for the last 16.

Roma, under Premier League Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri, are also struggling this term.

They are currently 10th in Serie A, 21 points behind leaders Atalanta, and 14th in the Europa League standings.

Triple whistle on the Meazza.

We equalized with Dybala’s goal in the first half.#MilanRoma pic.twitter.com/i8EVBHlRsA

— AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) December 29, 2024

But Ancelotti, who is known in Spain as ‘Don Carlo’, says he will always feel great affection for ‘I Giallorossi’, which he captained in 1985 under the late Sven-Goran Eriksson.

“(Claudio) Ranieri is a friend and he is doing well, I am very happy for him,” added Ancelotti.

“Obviously I am very attached to Roma, where I always have great memories, but there is a big difference between saying and doing.”

“For now I’m happy here and I’m not thinking about my future. I still have a two-year contract here, but contracts can be terminated or extended.”