The future of Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid continues to be a topic of discussion. Will he take up the role as the national coach of Brazil, or will he extend his expiring contract in Spain? The Italian coach himself refused to provide clarity.
And until then, the speculation will continue. In Brazil, there is still an expectation that Ancelotti will take charge of the Selecão during the Copa América this summer, but this week in Spain, there were reports of an impending contract extension. Mundo Deportivo even linked the 64-year-old Italian with Manchester United, as a possible replacement for Erik ten Hag.
Given all these developments, it was expected that Ancelotti would face questions about his future during his press briefing on Tuesday ahead of the Champions League match against Napoli. The coach responded somewhat irritably, 'I give you the chance to ask a new question.' When another question about a new contract quickly followed, Ancelotti repeated, 'I do not talk about my future.'
Whether he, like Diego Simeone, who will coach his hundredth Champions League match during Tuesday evening's visit to Feyenoord, would want to work for the same club for fifteen years, Ancelotti also did not answer. 'I don't know. Simeone is a special case, just like Ferguson and Wenger. Congratulations to Simeone, but it's not normal,' Ancelotti skillfully evaded that question too.
Only when he was confronted with the words of Dani Carvajal, who advised Real during the press moment to extend Ancelotti's contract, did the multiple Champions League winner thaw. 'He is right,' Ancelotti laughed. 'I also recommended extending Carvajal's contract until 2030. We have spoken well of each other to the club. Just joking.'
Modric
Ancelotti confirmed that Luka Modric will not play against Napoli on Wednesday evening. Real does not want to take any risks with the 38-year-old Croat, who was injured last Sunday against Cádiz. With Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni already missing in midfield, the options are now even thinner. However, playmaker Brahim Díaz is fit again.
