Ancelotti staunchly defends Real Madrid after Champions League exit, “Questioning a club that has won so many titles in the last decade seems misleading”

Serious, frustrated, yet as diplomatic as always - Carlo Ancelotti delivered a press conference full of sharp remarks aimed at his critics, while also maintaining a conciliatory tone toward club president Florentino Pérez. He acknowledged Pérez’s support following Real Madrid’s Champions League elimination to Arsenal but shut down any speculation about internal conflict.

“Claiming that there’s a rift between me and the club is misleading,” the Italian said. However, when asked multiple times about his future, he kept his answer intentionally vague: “We’ll talk at the end of the season.” The key question remains—will that discussion happen after LaLiga concludes or after Real Madrid’s participation in the Club World Cup, which kicks off in June and runs through July?

Thoughts on Sunday’s game against Athletic Club

“It will be a tough game. Both teams played midweek. Congratulations to Athletic for reaching the Europa League semifinals—they’re getting closer to the final at San Mamés. We want to keep fighting for LaLiga.”

Support from the club and players

“I’ve spoken with the players, I’ve spoken with the club—we’re all on the same page. We’re hurting because we’ve exited the competition where we’ve been most successful. You can’t win every time. But there’s no conflict within the club. Anyone saying otherwise is lying. The president actually shows more support in difficult moments than when we win.”

On a potential comeback after being dumped out of Europe

“Everything can be maintained. We have to carry out an evaluation of the future at the end of the season. We are still competing for important trophies. We have a final in a week’s time, we have the first Club World Cup in history at the end of the season. Talking about this is not correct right now.

In Brazil, the rumor is you will be taking the national team coaching post...

“We’ll talk about this at the end of the season.”

Champions League disappointment

“Questioning a club that has won so many titles in the last decade seems misleading.”

The team’s performance - did you expect more from your players?

“The only thing I want to do is thank these players. I’ve enjoyed myself so far, and I want to keep doing so. We remain united—we have a great relationship. These players have given me the opportunity to win two Champions League titles in recent years.”

Will you still be in the Madrid job for the Club World Cup?

“I’ll talk about all of that with the club at the end of the season.”

Do you get the impression that Madrid only care about the Champions League?

“It’s obviously the most important tournament—not just for Madrid, but for all clubs. Everything else matters too: the Copa del Rey final, fighting for LaLiga, the Club World Cup…”

Why don’t you want to talk about your future?

“I don’t want to talk about my future now. I’ll discuss it with the club at the end of the season, not with you. I don’t want to talk now.”

What worries you most about the team in football terms?

“We need to get back to feeling confident again. We have to regain our solidity in this final stretch—we’ve let in too many goals lately.”

You said you will discuss your future at the end of the season: do you mean before or after the Club World Cup?

“I don’t know.”

Do you regret not asking for more signings?

“No, I’ve always had a great relationship with the club, and we always will. Everything we do will be done together. There will never be any kind of confrontation. Saying there’s a conflict between me and the club is misleading”.

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