• Premier League

Madrid's Ancelotti approach increases Mourinho exit talk

ESPN staff
May 13, 2013
Carlo Ancelotti has a year left on his PSG contract © PA Photos
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Paris St-Germain have revealed they turned down a recent approach from Real Madrid for Carlo Ancelotti, heightening belief Jose Mourinho is on his way out of the Spanish capital.

In an interview with L'Equipe due to be published on Tuesday, the club's president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said that he had asked Madrid to respect Ancelotti's contract with the Ligue 1 title winners.

PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi told L'Equipe: "A few days ago, the general manager of Real Madrid (Jose Angel Sanchez) contacted me to talk to [Ancelotti].

"Very quickly, I told them: 'If you want to have Carlo, you need to know that he has a year left on his contract, so please respect the contract. We respect all clubs, we expect the same in return. Today we do not have the same stature as Real Madrid, but we do deserve the same respect.'

"He apologised and told me he had thought Ancelotti's contract was expiring but I told him that was wrong and that Carlo has another year with us. He told me they would take that into account."

Al-Khelaifi also reiterated PSG's commitment to keeping former Chelsea and AC Milan coach Ancelotti, highlighting the impact he has had on the club after transforming them into a side capable of challenging for major honours.

He said: "We want to keep Carlo, everybody loves him here, the players, the supporters, myself I love him. I have supported him since the first day he arrived and I will support him until his last day here. I am very optimistic as to the outcome of this situation."

Meanwhile, Al-Khelaifi also revealed that PSG sporting director Leonardo had been admitted to hospital following the club's arrival back from Lyon, where they won the Ligue 1 title with a 1-0 win.

The Brazilian fell ill when the plane arrived back in northern Paris around 3:30am local time and was taken to the American hospital in Neuilly-sur-Seine just outside Paris, although he is expected to be discharged before the end of Monday.

Al-Khelaifi said: "Leo gives everything for the club. He is fully committed. He gives his heart, his health and with all of the emotions which he has gone through and the title he felt a shock."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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