Carlo Ancelotti Uncertain About Future With Real Madrid After UCL Exit
Carlo Ancelotti expressed uncertainty about his future at Real Madrid after the defending champions were eliminated from the Champions League quarterfinals with a 2-1 home defeat to Arsenal on Wednesday.
Arsenal advanced to the semifinals with a 5-1 aggregate victory, following their convincing 3-0 win in the first leg at Emirates Stadium. Gabriel Martinelli\'s stoppage-time winner sealed the result after Vinícius Júnior had briefly equalized following Bukayo Saka\'s opener.
When asked if this might be his final Champions League match with Madrid, Ancelotti responded candidly despite having a contract through 2026: \"I don\'t know. It could be that the club decides to change. It could be this year, or next year when my contract ends.\"
Ancelotti acknowledged Arsenal\'s superiority in the tie but suggested a potential turning point was a first-half penalty awarded to Madrid for a Declan Rice challenge on Kylian Mbappé that was later overturned after VAR review.
Real Madrid remains in contention for domestic honors, currently competing for the LaLiga title and set to face Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final on April 26.
Thibaut Courtois defended his manager, stating the players have \"no problem\" with Ancelotti and that \"there are no doubts about the boss.\"
\"Arsenal were better than us,\" Ancelotti said. \"In terms of attitude, the team today gave everything. But we haven\'t always been able to do it. Compared to last year, we\'ve lacked some collective attitude.\"
\"Sometimes you have to be self-critical,\" Courtois told Movistar. \"We\'re a team, but sometimes maybe we have to play more as a team, and less as individuals.\"