Real coach Ancelotti hoping to replicate rival Simeone's longevity
"He has put Atleti among the best clubs in Europe," says the Real Madrid boss
Carlo Ancelotti sees no need to assess the impact Diego Simeone has had at Atletico Madrid and can only hope to replicate the Argentine's longevity.
Ancelotti returned to Real Madrid for his second spell as coach in June, after leaving Everton.
Reigning champions Atleti visit Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday for the first Madrid derby of the season. Simeone's men sit 10 points behind Ancelotti's table toppers in fourth place, albeit with a game in hand.
"I am not the one who has to say what Simeone has done at Atletico," Ancelotti told a news conference on Saturday.
"He has put Atleti among the best clubs in Europe. What has happened with Simeone is what all the coaches want, to stay in a club for a long time and leave their mark on the club.
"It is the dream of any coach. Hopefully it can happen to me at Madrid."
A victory
If Ancelotti really does wish to stay for a sustained spell at Madrid, then he is off to a strong start – Los Blancos have lost just one league game this term and have finished top of their Champions League group – although the 62-year-old has not spent longer than two years at any club since leaving Milan in 2009.
Asked if a victory would put Madrid well in control of the title race, Ancelotti replied: "We will have three more points over an opponent who will fight to the end to win this competition.
"I don't want to put more pressure on this game than it already is."