Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed he will stay as Real Madrid manager for the time being, despite rumours he would be leaving the role.
His side were held to a 1-1 draw by Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, but they held onto second place in the table as Atletico Madrid also drew on the final day.
Some believed that Ancelotti would be exiting the Bernabeu for the second time. His first managerial stint at Real Madrid between 2013 and 2015 was followed by a second spell which began in 2021.
But after the Athletic Bilbao game, Ancelotti said: 'I am staying at Real Madrid next season, it’s 100%.'
As well as finishing second in LaLiga, ten points behind arch-rivals Barcelona, Real Madrid were eliminated from the Champions League in the semi-final stage, failing to retain the trophy they lifted last season.
During the past two years, Ancelotti has guided the side to last season's LaLiga title, as well as the Champions League and the World Club Cup trophies.
This season, they won the Copa del Rey, but failed to defend either the LaLiga or Champions League titles.
There was also growing speculation that he would exit the club hotseat to take up the challenge of managing the Br azilian national side.
Oihan Sancet had put the visitors Athletic Bilbao in front during Sunday's game, but Real Madrid equalised when Karim Benzema scored a penalty in his farewell appearance for the Club.
Ancelotti admitted his 'surprise' at being told of Benzema's exit just hours before kick-off - but that the club had begun their hunt for a replacement striker.
Benzema was given a rapturous standing ovation on his substitution during the draw - with a move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad looking imminent.
Elsewhere on LaLiga's final day, champions Barcelona were beaten 2-1 by Celta Vigo, who avoided the risk of relegation with Gabri Veiga's brace.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo Nazario's Real Valladolid became the third team to be relegated from the Spanish top flight after a goalless draw with Getafe.