Carlo Ancelotti has declared that he has no intention of leaving Real Madrid at the end of the season.
Ancelotti has enjoyed a glorious second spell as Los Blancos head coach after returning to the club in July 2021, winning the Champions League and LaLiga last season.
The wily Italian has also masterminded Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup glory, with Madrid in the hunt to lift the Champions League trophy once again this season and the Copa del Rey.
Barcelona are 13 points clear of Madrid at the top of La Liga, so it appears to be only a matter of time before the reigning champions are dethroned.
Ancelotti has just over a year remaining on his contract and the 63-year-old has been linked with the Brazil job, but he has no plans to bring his tenure in the Spanish capital to an end.
He told reporters on Friday: I feel proud of everything, it [his second spell with Madrid] has been a success so far. I hope to continue, but I am proud of what I have achieved.
I think [Madrid president Florentino] Perez supports me. The president is always very affectionate with me, we will be here next season without a doubt, I will respect the contract.
Ancelotti has come in for criticism from certain quarters this season and has taken it on the chin.
He added: This is football, we ve had success in some competitions, but you have to wait to judge. I listen to criticism, it s normal. We have to live in a world where you have to listen to the people, the club, the players.
Some criticisms are understandable, others are not and what you can understand helps to improve.