I don’t care if Real Madrid replace me – Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti has acknowledged that Real Madrid could consider a managerial change following their Champions League quarter-final exit at the hands of Arsenal.

The Italian tactician watched as his side fell 2-1 at home, sealing a 5-1 aggregate loss to the Gunners a stark contrast to Madrid’s near-perfect run last season.

It marks Madrid’s 12th defeat this season a sharp rise from just two defeats in the entire previous campaign and adds pressure as the club contemplates its direction moving forward.

“It could be that the club decide to change (coach), it could be this year — or the next when my contract expires, there’s no problem,” Ancelotti told reporters.

“The day that I leave here I can only thank the club.

“It could be tomorrow, in 10 days, in a month or a year, but all I can do will be to thank the club — if my contract’s up or not, I don’t care.”

Madrid have been linked with Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso, who played for Los Blancos, and former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.

Ancelotti said his team were still in the fight for La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Club World Cup this summer.

“The team gave everything in terms of attitude, but we weren’t able to do it,” said Ancelotti after the Arsenal defeat.

“To be honest Arsenal defended very well, we found it hard to find space, in terms of intensity we were better but it was not enough.”