Carlo Ancelotti has insisted Germany star Jerome Boateng and under-performing Renato Sanches will next season stay at Bayern Munich, who aim to assert their Bundesliga domination at title-rivals RB Leipzig this weekend.
Ancelotti’s Bayern, the confirmed 2016/17 Bundesliga champions, need a win at second-placed RB Leipzig on Saturday to maintain the status quo as Germany’s top club.
As head coach, Ancelotti needs a moral-boosting victory to steady the ship with rumours of unrest behind the scenes amidst disappointment after last month’s Champions League quarter-final exit.
Boateng had reportedly been considering his future and was unhappy about being left out of the starting side for their German Cup semi-final home defeat against Borussia Dortmund.
A first-choice player for Germany Boateng has a Bayern contract until 2021.
He faces stiff competition for a first-team place next season alongside Javi Martinez, Mats Hummels and Niklas Suele, who will join from Hoffenheim.
However, Ancelotti says Boateng is going nowhere having spoken to the defender.
“He is our player and will be our player next season,” said Ancelotti.
“His standing in the team is good, we don’t need to discuss it.”
Ancelotti has also spoken to Portugal midfielder Renato Sanches, 19, a disappointing signing having spent his first season mainly on the bench after costing 35 million euros ($38.2m) from Benfica.
“He will be here next season and he will play often,” said the Italian, with Sanches set for more chances after Xabi Alonso retires at the end of the season.
“We have to be patient.
“Of course, we expected more from him, given his qualities, but it’s not easy for a young player to switch to a new country with a new style.”
Bayern’s match at Leipzig is a top-of-the-table clash.