Rome - Coach Carlo Ancelotti has dismissed rumours that he could leave AC Milan, saying he is set on remaining at the Serie A giants despite a second straight disappointing season.

"I haven't yet found a good reason to leave," Ancelotti Tuesday told La Gazzetta dello Sport, "but the club must also agree."

The 49-year-old played his last five years with the Devils and took over as coach in 2001, steering them to win one Serie A scudetto, two Champions League titles and one Club World Cup.

The Devils, however, are all but out of the race for the title, languishing a massive 14 points behind leaders Inter Milan with nine games left and are instead battling to secure a Champions League berth they already missed out on last year.

Ancelotti said that his side's deficit to leaders Inter Milan "comes from the many injuries" and looked ahead to the next season guaranteeing that Brazilian defender Thiago Silva "will surprise everyone."

After being eliminated from the UEFA Cup, Milan set as their target a third place in the Serie A which grants a place in next season's Champions League without going through a preliminary round.

If the Devils remain ahead of fourth-placed Genoa, now trailing four points adrift, Ancelotti should be able to remain until his contract expires in 2010.

There have been, however, rumours of contacts with Real Madrid, while other foreign clubs appear to be keen on hiring him. Ancelotti has denied having had talks with the Spanish giants.

Milan, meanwhile, could already be looking for a substitute, with their former player and current technical manager Leonardo well positioned to take over.

"My relationship with Milan is wonderful and I'm happy with what I'm doing," the Brazilian said. "I think that anything can happen, but decisions should be taken with calm and common sense." (dpa)