Ancelotti extends Milan contract to 2008

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has extended his contract for a further year, tying himself to the Serie A side until at least June, 2008, the club said yesterday.

Ancelotti, who is in his fifth season with Milan, had been linked with a possible move to Real Madrid at the end of this season.

His original contract was due to expire in June 2007.

"I've signed up until 2008 and I am happy," Ancelotti said. "There was a temptation from Real Madrid but I am staying here," he said.

The former Milan and Roma player took over in 2001 and led the club to the 2003 Champions League title and the Italian title a season later.

Last season Milan were runners-up in Serie A and beaten finalists in the Champions League.

"This contract renewal came naturally for a number of reasons and was also designed to cut short some of the discussions in the press that continued to claim Ancelotti was going to Real," said Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani.

"In these five years, we have become the top club in Europe. He is a coach who is absolutely at our level, he has done well and will do well."

¤ Brazil captain Cafu says he has recovered from surgery on his left knee and that he will be in excellent shape for the World Cup. The Milan player, who has played in the last three World Cup finals, underwent arthroscopic surgery on February 15 in Rio de Janeiro. "I'm sure I'm going to get to the World Cup in excellent form, it's my dream," he said. Cafu, who celebrates his 36th birthday during the World Cup, said he was also available for his club's Serie A match against Fiorentina on Saturday. "I'm feeling really good," he said.