Carlo Ancelotti has had two spells as Real Madrid manager, and the Italian who has managed a lot of top teams across Europe, has insisted that he’d never manage Barcelona, due to the rivalry between both clubs.

Ancelotti said while speaking to the media on Friday: “For me, managing Barcelona is impossible because of my history. I wouldn’t change. You have to respect my own history and that of each club.

“I have enormous respect for Barcelona and for Xavi, but I don’t want to change with anyone. I’m very happy at the best club in the world and at a place where people are very fond of me. I don’t want to change.

“I’m very excited because the season’s still very much alive. We’re going to play our fourth final this season. We’re pleased to be there, but we have to finish the job.”

He went further: “We have a disadvantage in the league because Barcelona have done so well. We have four points fewer than this time last year and they have more.

“We want to finish the season strongly, which means winning other trophies, and that’d be spectacular.

“We’re also thinking about the league. The league games help us to maintain good form and a good atmosphere, and until it’s mathematically impossible to win, we’re going to keep fighting it.”