Ancelotti leaves Milan

The 49-year-old has been linked with a move to Chelsea in recent months.

“In agreement with the club we have decided to terminate the contract a year early,” he told Sky Italia.

“My wonderful experience with this side ends today. I thank all the players, directors, fans and everyone involved.

“I think it ends in the right way and is probably the right choice for both of us. The respect and affection remains with all the people who over the years participated in this adventure.”

He continued: “I can’t say anything else official. I have not made any agreement with any other club.”

He added on Milan president Silvio Berlusconi: “I have great respect and love for president Berlusconi. We’ve had a few disagreements over the years, but this is the day to thank him for eight wonderful years of my career.

“He let me spend nearly a decade at the helm of a great club that was at the top of world football, so my gratitude goes beyond the odd phone call.

“The decisions were made at the end of this season. It was a complicated campaign and we left it two months ago with the agreement we’d make the decision after the final game. That’s what we did.

“I hope you’ll know what my future is soon. London is not necessarily the guaranteed next stop.”