Ancelotti: I'll never train Barcelona, I want to retire at Real Madrid

The Italian ruled out ever taking the reins at Camp Nou, revealed Sergio Ramos is fit to start Saturday’s Clasico and lamented the lack of flaws in Luis Enrique’s side

Carlo Ancelotti says he has too much respect towards the Clasico rivalry to ever cross the divide and coach Barcelona, suggesting instead he would like to retire with Real Madrid.

Only two coaches – Radomir Antic and Enrique Fernandez – have ever been in charge of both clubs at separate stages of their career as loyalties run deep between La Liga’s biggest duo.

Ancelotti, who has coached European giants including AC Milan and Chelsea during his glittering coaching career, insisted that taking charge at Camp Nou would be an impossibility in his eyes.

“Now I’ve trained Real Madrid, I can never train Barcelona,” he told Cadena SER. “I have to respect my history and the history of the clubs that I have trained.”

When asked if he would like to reign at the Santiago Bernabeu the way that Sir Alex Ferguson led for so long at Manchester United, he added: “It is unthinkable that I will spend 24 years at the club, but I would like to end my career in Madrid.”

Ancelotti is keenly aware of the quality at Luis Enrique’s disposal and conceded that watching Barca’s 3-1 midweek win over Ajax did not make for happy viewing as he sought out chinks in the Clasico visitors’ armour.

“Yes, I watched Tuesday’s Champions League tie,” he added. “Whenever I see a team try to find their many flaws.

“But I have not been lucky this time. I have not found many.”

Sergio Ramos missed Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Liverpool but Ancelotti claims he will be fit to face Barca and even joked that the Blancos vice-captain wants to be played up front in future.

“Pepe’s taken a knock,” the Italian continued. “One of my centre-backs will be Ramos. If Pepe recovers well from that knock, he will play too.

“Ramos asked me to want to play as a striker. He likes to play up front and has quality to play. I’ll give him a game in midfield, there’s time to change it up for Saturday!” he added, laughing.

Real Madrid are four points adrift of La Liga leaders Barca heading into the ninth game of the domestic campaign.

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