“The fact that I am being linked is a positive, but there is no chance of it happening,” Ancelotti said.

“It is clear, very clear, what will happen. You will all see that I will be still coaching Milan next season.

“You will all just have to be a little more patient to see that happen, but the Spaniards have no chance.”

Tough words indeed, but somewhat understandable. Ancelotti has only recently signed an extension to his current contract at the San Siro and he was visibly insulted by the latest rush of Spanish media speculation.

Of course none of this will be of any help to either Real’s players or the club itself, still engulfed by boardroom turmoil and behind the scenes presidential elections. Only last week Real’s Goalkeeper Iker Casillas  spoke out publicly about the negative effect this was having on the players.

'There have been a lot of comings and goings which is fine if it's in the club's best interests, but so many changes cannot be good,' Casillas said last Thursday, after the club’s board had ousted president Fernando Martin the day before.

One thing is certain, Ancelotti may have ruled himself out of the running for the Madrid hot seat, but the search and speculation will go on. It has to.

A certain former Lazio coach is out of contract at the end of this summer’s World Cup tournament, and has so far refused to commit his future to any particular club. Sven Goran-Erikkson could become the next hot favourite of the Spanish media, and maybe even Real Madrid themselves.