Carlo Ancelotti admits he's open to Real Madrid return but plays down Cristiano Ronaldo spat with Rafa Benitez

Ancelotti was sacked by Real in the summer but says he would be open to a return at the end of the season if they dismiss Benitez

Former Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti (Getty Images)

Carlo Ancelotti has revealed he is open to returning to one of his former clubs as manager, strengthening reports that he could make a stunning comeback at Real Madrid to replace Rafa Benitez just one year after being sacked by the club.

Benitez is under pressure to turn the club around after Saturday’s 4-0 defeat by Barcelona in the first El Clasico of the season, although Real president Florentino Perez has publicly backed the Spaniard in a hastily arranged press conference on Monday night.

Ancelotti was unceremoniously sacked in the summer after failing to win a trophy in 2014/15, although he was the man who led Real to their famous La Decima success in winning the Champions League for a record tenth time just one year before.

Despite having one of the best managerial records in the world, Ancelotti was dismissed and Benitez was brought in from Italian side Napoli, even though his conservative approach is not what Real fans desire at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Benitez has tried to play an attacking style since arriving in Madrid, but it was horrible exposed on Saturday evening by Barcelona and has led to a reported falling out with Cristiano Ronaldo, who is said to have told team-mates in the dressing room after the defeat “either he [Benitez] goes or I go”.

Ancelotti has been linked with a return to Chelsea should Jose Mourinho leave the club anytime soon, but as the chances of the Portuguese moving on diminishes with each victory that the Blues are recording, and the possibility of the Italian heading back to London now appear slim.

But he has admitted that not only would he be keen to return to Chelsea, he would also consider moves back to Real and Paris Saint-Germain should the opportunity arise.

Ancelotti told Italian radio station RAI: “If Perez called me back to Real Madrid? I decided to take a year off, I already told you. Many teams have tried for me but I preferred to stay away for a year.

“Start again with Real after a year? Why not, likewise I could start over at PSG or Chelsea.”

Ancelotti added that as far as he’s aware, there is no dispute between Ronaldo and Benitez, and added that it is too early in the season to label the campaign a crisis.

"The crisis at Real Madrid? Let’s be slow with our judgments because we are just at the beginning," Ancelotti said. "The Real players have the ability to revive the situation.

“Real suffered against a really strong Barcelona. Benitez? It’s difficult to judge from the outside.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Rafa Benitez have fallen out at Real Madrid (Getty Images)

“From watching the game, they suffered most on the tactical level. Every coach has his own ideas and it’s good that, for better or for worse, he takes them forward.

“Benitez-Ronaldo crisis? I spoke with Ronaldo last week, he never said he had a bad relationship with the coach.

“He tows the line and always tries to help his team. When things aren’t going well, it’s obvious that the forwards have to suffer most.”