Real Madrid part ways with Ancelotti

Real Madrid CF president Florentino Pérez has announced that coach Carlo Ancelotti has left the club following two years at the helm.

"Today the board of directors have come to the decision to relieve Carlo Ancelotti of his duties," Pérez told the assembled media in a brief press conference at the club's Estadio Santiago Bernabéu. "It was a very difficult decision. We're not here to make easy decisions, but those we make we believe are the right ones for this institution.

"Carlo Ancelotti has won the hearts of both the board and fans, and he will always have a place in our history because he was the coach that led us to the Décima. However at this club the demands are huge and we needed a new impulse in order to win trophies and be at our best," he added.

The news comes after the Merengues' second-place Liga finish and UEFA Champions League semi-final defeat to Juventus. For the moment there has been no announcement on the Italian's successor, however the Madrid president did say that "a decision regarding the new coach will be announced next week".

The 55-year-old arrived in the Spanish capital from Paris Saint-Germain in 2013 having led the French outfit to the Ligue 1 title. The Italian won Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League crowns in his first season in the Spanish capital, while this season picked up the UEFA Super Cup and led the side to a 22-game unbeaten run in all competitions that culminated with Madrid's first FIFA Club World Cup title.

However, a downturn in form which saw the side eliminated by old boy Álvaro Morata in Europe and cede a four point lead at the top of the league ultimately cost Ancelotti his job.