PSG has taken umbrage to Florentino Pérez's comments suggesting that Carlo Ancelotti is a top candidate to take over in the Bernabéu hotseat. Sources close to the French club's president, Sheikh Nasser Al-Khelaifi, have revealed that no formal (removed) has been submitted for the Italian, who has a year left on his contract. "If Real Madrid wants Ancelotti, they'll have to call us and make an offer", the same source claimed.

The Paris outfit's posture could not be clearer: the club has a coach in place and the ball is in Real's court to make a move. The French champion isn't going to make it easy for Ancelotti to depart, however much this attitude upsets him, meaning 'Los Blancos' are going to have pull their finger out if the Italian's dream of coaching at the Bernabéu is to come true.

The PSG president has been scouring the market for a new manager for some time, but it has been slim pickings so far, despite the work going on behind the scenes. "Ancelotti is still the coach for now" is the word coming out of the Parc des Princes when questions are asked about possible replacements.

Backed by the millions of the Qatar Sport Investments (QSI) group, PSG is sitting pretty money-wise and has no intention of letting its coach leave on the cheap just because Real Madrid has come calling. Just like when there is interest in a player, the French club will weigh up any offers it receives for Ancelotti - who has a €7.5 million release clause - and make a decision accordingly.

PSG have ruled out Fabio Capello (Russia coach), Rafael Benítez (Napoli) and Laurent Blanc (unattached). Meanwhile, current sporting director Leonardo is an option, but has been handed a nine-month ban for pushing a referee. His appeal is scheduled for 20 June, and if it is successful he will be named coach.

With Leonardo’s potential appointment on hold, the Parisian club have contacted Anzhi Makhachkala boss Guus Hiddink. The 66-year-old’s contract runs out this season (he earns 10 million euros net) and is considered by PSG to have a similar profile to Ancelotti. After losing the Russian Cup final to CSKA Moscow on penalties and finishing third in the league, he told ‘NTV’: “Contract renewal? I’ll talk about my future in the coming days. We’ll see.” Before the season’s end, the former Real Madrid, Valencia and Chelsea coach is said to have told those close to him that he is considering taking a year off.

Indeed, Anzhi have already taken steps to seek a replacement for the Dutchman. Nevertheless, a call from PSG could see him change his mind about taking a sabbatical. If Hiddink were to decline, former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is also thought to be on the French club’s radar.

Whoever is appointed, PSG do not intend to announce Ancelotti’s successor until 20 June, the date of Leonardo’s appeal. Furthermore, with their pride wounded, they do not want to offer the image of a weak club and are insisting that Madrid pay for the remaining year on his contract (he earns 7.5 million euros).

A source close to the Italian told newspaper ‘Le Parisien’: “Carlo is very disappointed with the behaviour of the PSG board. He hasn’t heard anything from them and, of course, doesn’t understand their strategy; he’s tired of it. There is no way that Carlo will go back now. To him Paris is now history.”

Marca.

I hope he doesn't go

@Rama

Why not? He can make us so much better. He can improve the Clasicos as well, since he's not going to tolerate Pepe hacking through your players. Trust me, he's better than Mourinho when it comes to keeping games clean.

Hahaha, stories like this kill me. In what other field can someone be aggrieved at his employers for not allowing him to break his contract before putting in place an incumbent for the position? It is absolute madness.
OF course, I am not naive and have been following football long enough to have a good enough idea of what goes on "behind the scenes" but sometimes we have to laugh at the ludicrousness of it all.

Football is a world unto its own and it disdains the standard protocols and ethics upheld by the rest of humanity.

@Foota

Yes, I'm pretty sure Madrid actually made a move for Ancelotti back in January. I think they sent a representative to speak with Ancelotti, so Ancelotti already knows he's going to be the next RM manager.

I think psg wants some RM players for Ancelotti.

@tiki_taka

They can't do that. The price of Ancelotti's contract is equivalent to how much Arbeloa is worth. So that means they won't be getting any of our starting 11 players.

They will pay the price, they know Ancelotti made his decision so they want to negociate with RM to get a player. Ancelotti is leaving 100%, im sure Psg have a plan in mind.

I think Michael Laudrup is going to end up with the PSG job after Carlo leaves.