ECB's Lagarde keeps door open to early exit

DUBLIN, Sept 18 (Reuters) - European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde on Friday kept the door open to leaving her post early, replying "we'll see" when asked if she would remain in the position until her term ends in October 2027. 

"I leave in 2027," Lagarde told Irish national broadcaster RTE in response to a question on rumours of her early resignation that have persisted for most of this year.

When asked if that meant October 2027, Lagarde replied: "We'll see." 

"What I can tell you at this point is that whatever the time, it will be handled in the most professional way as it should be," she added. 

Sources told Reuters this week that France would back Dutchman Klaas Knot to succeed Lagarde as part of a bargain in which a French candidate would be picked for chief economist.

(Reporting by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Toby Chopra)