Ancelotti thanks Real Madrid following dismissal

Former Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has thanked the club following his sacking.

The Italian started his time with the Spaniards in 2013 after he left Paris Saint-Germain, and he led the club to Spanish Cup victory and also coached the team to their 10th Champions League title in his first season. Madrid finished, however, second in the La Liga standings and were knocked out of the Champions League semi-finals by Juventus.

“I will take the memories of two fantastic years with Real Madrid away with me,” the 55-year-old tweeted.

“I want to thank the club, the fans and my players.”

The former AC Milan coach has been linked to return to the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza after Adriano Galliani said he was flying to Madrid, while Napoli coach Rafael Benitez is favourite to replace Ancelotti at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.