Carlo Ancelotti has been sacked as manager of Real Madrid
after two seasons in charge of the Spanish club.
The Italian, 55, led Real to victory in the Spanish Cup
before claiming the club's 10th European Cup last season.
But this year they were knocked out by Juventus in the
Champions League semi-finals, while Barcelona won La Liga.
Ancelotti's side finished second in Spain's top flight, two
points behind Barca, who have reached the Spanish Cup and Champions League
finals.
Club president Florentino Perez told a news conference it
had "not been an easy decision" before thanking Ancelotti and adding
that a new manager would be appointed "in the coming week".
Real beat city rivals Atletico Madrid 4-1 after extra time
in the Champions League final in June 2014 to claim 'La Decima' - their 10th
victory in Europe's most prestigious club competition.
It was Ancelotti's third Champions League title as a manager
- he also won it twice with AC Milan, in 2003 and 2007 - but he leaves Madrid
having failed to claim the Spanish title since joining from Paris St-Germain in
July 2013.
The former Chelsea boss, whose contract was due to run until
the end of next season, also won the Club World Cup in December before Real
were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Atletico in January.
In an interview with Italian newspaper Il Giornale published on Monday morning, before his
departure was announced, Ancelotti said he would take a year off and have back
surgery if he left Real.
"I must have a back operation because of spinal
stenosis that for some time creates a tingle in my hands," he said.
"I don't know how long the period of recovery will
be," he added. "I can assure you that I've had plenty of offers from
Italy, England, Germany. I'm sure they will not be lacking from here until next
year."
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