Carlo Ancelotti 'would go back to Real' if job becomes vacant

Amid speculation that Rafa Benitez's job as Real Madrid boss could be in jeopardy following a comprehensive 4-0 drubbing to Barcelona, former gaffer Carlo Ancelotti has admitted that he would return to the Santiago Bernabeu, but has no interest in making any decisions until the summer.

Adding fuel to the fire, Real president Florentino Perez has called a press conference for Monday, increasing speculation that Benitez's tenure at the club could be in its final days.

Related - Report: Rafa Benitez's dismissal 'not a matter of if, but when'

Often the first name to pop-up when the topic of management openings is discussed, Ancelotti has conceded that he would be interested in a potential move back to Madrid as well as other marquee top-flight appointments.

"I would go back to Real, just like I would go back to Paris Saint-Germain or Chelsea," he told Italy's RAI radio, courtesy of ESPN FC. "I had some fantastic experiences abroad, but when I left Madrid I decided to take a year off and that is how it is."

Despite probable mid-season openings to a slew of high-profile positions, Ancelotti appears to be enjoying his hiatus from professional football, weary of the perils of taking a job midway through the season.

"Some clubs have already made inquiries and I told them all the same thing: that I want to start again from next year," Ancelotti said. "I've taken on three jobs during a season, with Juve, Milan, and PSG, and they all turned out to be negative."

Even with speculation that the 56-year-old would be ideal to fill Benitez's shoes at Real, Ancelotti has pledged his support for the Spaniard.

"It's still early days and I think his players have the quality and ability to resolve such a situation, which is very complicated," Ancelotti said. "It was a nightmare for all the Real fans, who saw an extremely strong Barcelona side make their Real suffer.

"It's difficult to judge from the outside how things are within the dressing room. They suffered tactically, trying to press high up the field against a side who were comfortable just controlling the ball and this is what made the difference."

The former Juventus gaffer was also quick to suppress rumours that Cristiano Ronaldo and the manager have had a falling out at the Bernabeu.

"I spoke at length with Ronaldo, but he never said that he didn't have a good relationship with Benitez."