MADRID (AP) — Carlo Ancelotti has eluded speaking about his future after recent reports that again linked the Real Madrid coach with a move to Brazil’s national team.
The veteran Italian manager was asked several times by reporters on Saturday at a pre-game press conference if he would leave the Spanish giant this summer, and each time he responded that he didn’t want to speak about it.
“At the end of the season we will speak about this with the club," he said more than once.
The 65-year-old Ancelotti is under contract with Madrid through June 2026.
Speculation regarding his career plans has once again spiked after Madrid’s exit from the Champions League this week. Britain’s Sky Sports has reported that he will step down following the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on April 26.
Besides the Copa del Rey, Madrid is still in the fight to defend its La Liga title and is also to play in the Club World Cup this summer.
Madrid is in second place behind Barcelona in the league. It hosts fourth-place Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.
Brazil has reportedly been after Ancelotti since last year as it seeks an elite coach for the 2026 World Cup. Brazil fired Dorival Júnior as coach last month.
Ancelotti is the only coach to have won the Champions League five times — three times with Madrid (2014, 2022, 2024) and twice with AC Milan (2003, 2007). He is also the only coach to have steered teams to domestic league titles in Spain, England, Italy, Germany and France.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti gives instructions from the side line during the Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Arsenal and Real Madrid at the Emirates Stadium in London, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The season over, Stephen Curry stopped before making his way out of Chase Center for a handshake and long embrace with Draymond Green.
These two longtime teammates are committed to making another championship run together, and now with Jimmy Butler by their side, knowing there might not be too many opportunities left.
Curry expressed sadness at how Golden State's season ended, with him on the bench unable to help because of a hamstring injury.
The Warriors were eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves in a 121-110 Game 5 loss Wednesday night in the Western Conference semifinals — Golden State's fourth straight game without Curry because of a strained left hamstring since he was hurt in the second quarter of Game 1 last week.
At 37 and with 16 NBA seasons to his name, Curry realizes NBA titles and postseason berths are no longer guaranteed and that there could only be a handful of chances remaining for him, Butler, Green and with Steve Kerr as coach.
“All we wanted was a chance, and to finish the year like we did, to sneak in the playoffs and win that first round, there’s a lot to be proud of for sure, considering where we were,” Curry said. “But definitely disappointed, and frankly just sad that I wasn’t out there able to play. We have hopefully a bright future in terms of coming back next year and trying again.”
Where the Warriors were only three months ago was searching for answers — until general manager Mike Dunleavy pulled off acquiring Butler at the trade deadline from Miami in a move that sent Andrew Wiggins to the Heat.
Butler led the way on both ends of the floor, even more so during Curry's recent absence.
“I’m completely content with who I am as a basketball player, the way that I play the game,” he said. “And to come here and know that I’m second to Steph, I think that’s a really good thing, actually, when you talk about one of the greatest players ever to play this game.”
Golden State wound up 29-15 since Butler's first game Feb. 8 at Chicago, 23-8 in the regular season, a play-in win against Memphis and 5-7 through two playoff series.
Butler blended into the system beautifully, and he's not convinced this core group has a two-year window to win it all.
“Yeah, and then if we win some, it could be longer than that because I still think that we have a lot of great basketball left ahead of us,” he said. “I don’t think this age thing is anything the way that everybody is taking care of their bodies, doing right. I think the potential is there.”
Everybody is eager to have a training camp together, even with changes expected during the summer and free agency period. Forward Jonathan Kuminga's future is one of the biggest pressing questions of the offseason as he is expected to become a restricted free agent in July.
“I haven't thought about anything yet,” said Kuminga, the team's seventh overall draft pick in 2021.
For now, Curry plans to take a basketball break and focus on family. He averaged 24.5 points, 6.0 assists and 4.4 rebounds playing 32-plus minutes per game.
If people are calling him the old guy these days, he's fine with that.
“One, it’s an ultimate compliment because it’s part of the level that you’re playing at. Like, 'Oh, he’s still doing it at this age,’” Curry said. "Two, it’s a reminder of your basketball mortality and appreciating every moment that you have. That’s why the way this ended was emotional as it was, not being able to play in those big games because you don’t know how many more opportunities you will have.
“But I think the difference on and off the court, like seeing my family and seeing my kids grow and opportunities off the court, it allows me to just have fun and appreciate this chapter of my life as much as possible, knowing that hopefully the next chapter is as great, but this one I’m trying to get every bit of fun and experience and squeeze as much juice out of this as possible.”
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) looks on near the bench during the second half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry, right, and Buddy Hield react to a missed shot in the second half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in Minneapolis. (Scott Strazzante/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry speaks during a news conference at the NBA basketball team's facility in San Francisco, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry speaks during a news conference at the NBA basketball team's facility in San Francisco, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry listens during a news conference at the NBA basketball team's facility in San Francisco, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
