(Reuters) – Real Madrid’s manager, Carlo Ancelotti, has stated that he has not yet made a decision regarding his contract with the LaLiga club, despite ongoing rumors linking him to the top position at the Brazil national team. Ancelotti’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season and the former Brazilian FA (CBF) president, Ednaldo Rodrigues, has expressed that the 64-year-old is the preferred candidate to replace Tite, who left after Brazil’s quarter-final exit at the last World Cup.
When asked in a press conference if Real Madrid would give him a new contract as a Christmas present, Ancelotti jokingly replied, “I already got my present, which was to stay here as the head coach of Real Madrid and that is the most important thing. As I said, we still have time to think about that (contract extension),” The Italian added ahead of Real’s home game against Villarreal, “But in terms of presents, tomorrow my players could give me one by winning this match. The thing I want the most is to finish well this year by winning these two games left, so we can have a quiet Christmas.”
Real Madrid, who currently hold the second position in the LaLiga standings, are looking to temporarily overtake leaders Girona with a victory over 14th-placed Villarreal later on Sunday.
(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Tom Hogue)
