Carlo Ancelotti rules out move to Milan or England due to spinal operation

Ancelotti has endured a difficult second season at Real Madrid, having won the club's 10th Champions League - La Decima - in 2014, but failing to win La Liga in either year.

Club president Florentino Perez has reacted by reportedly lining up Rafael Benitez, Napoli's current manager, as Ancelotti's replacement amid growing speculation that he could be set to leave.

Ancelotti has been repeatedly linked with a return to AC Milan - and he has admitted, "I’ve always said and thought that if one day I return to coach a club in Italy, I could only do it with Milan".

But he has now confirmed that he would take a year out to recover from an operation on his spine if he is to lose his job at the Bernabeu, despite Rossoneri CEO Adriano Galliani having reportedly travelled to meet with him in Madrid.

"I can assure you that I have not lacked opportunities, from Italy, England and Germany, and I will not lack offers between now and next year,” the 55-year-old told Il Giornale.

"I said it at the press conference, and I can only repeat it - I’ll stop for a year. I also have a very serious reason to stop, I need to have an operation for cervical stenosis [a spinal condition].

"For some time I’ve been having tingling in my hands, if I wait any longer it may spread to my legs, so I’ve made an appointment for surgery.

"Frankly I don’t know how long I’ll have to physically stop, for the postoperative phase and subsequent rehabilitation.

"Galliani is in Madrid? It’ll be a pleasure to have guests for dinner, but I can’t change the schedule."

It has been a tough season for Ancelotti and Real Madrid all round.

Gareth Bale has been slowly edged out of the side as the Bernebeu crowd have turned on him for suffering a noticeable, but not disastrous, dip in form in his second series.

Iker Casillas, a strong dressing room presence, was on occasion replaced by Keylor Navas in goal, and Real Madrid's famously intolerant and entitled fans rounded on their club legend and captain after he too could not keep his performance levels to their liking.

Although Luis Enrique had a tough start to his career as manager at Barcelona, both he and Lionel Messi have improved their fortunes and Barcelona's form, supported by Luis Suarez and Neymar in attack to score over 100 goals this season and stay on target for the treble.