Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti will discuss his future with the club after today’s final La Liga game at home to Getafe and said he wants to stay on despite a season without a major trophy.

Speculation that Real president Florentino Perez is poised to discard Ancelotti, a year before his three-year contract expires, has been rife since the holders were eliminated from the Champions League and Barcelona secured the title last weekend.

Ancelotti’s post-training news conference yesterday had the air of a farewell, with journalists ap-plauding the Italian at the end, but he insisted he is ready and willing to continue.

Ancelotti led Real to a record-extending 10th European title last term, as well as a King’s Cup triumph, and they went on to win the European Super Cup and the Club World Cup before their form tailed off after the turn of the year.

“I understand that this is a key moment for the club,” Ancelotti told reporters.

“If I don’t carry on I will have spent two fantastic years here and each will go their separate ways.

“We have had some very happy moments, perhaps the happiest in the history of Real Madrid.

“I won’t be sad as I will have the feeling that I gave everything I could.

“I have the confidence and the desire and the excitement to carry on because I like this club and these players and I like this city.”

Spanish media reports have suggested Napoli coach Rafa Benitez, who had a stint working in Real’s academy in the mid-1990s, is the front runner to replace Ancelotti.

There has also been speculation that Ancelotti could continue but without his long-term fitness trainer, Giovanni Mauri, and goalkeeping coach Villiam Vecchi, who would be replaced.