Carlo Ancelotti set to leave Real Madrid and join Brazil in June

<script type="text/javascript"> atOptions = { 'key' : '1030a0826e7a14c7eb0a5ca6872912ca', 'format' : 'iframe', 'height' : 90, 'width' : 728, 'params' : {} }; </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//www.highperformanceformat.com/1030a0826e7a14c7eb0a5ca6872912ca/invoke.js"></script>Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is expected to leave the club to become the head coach of Brazil on an initial one-year contract that runs through the end of the 2026 World Cup.

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Although Ancelotti, 65, extended his contract with Real Madrid until 2026 in December 2023, sources from within the training ground—speaking on condition of anonymity—have revealed that he has already informed some players of his decision to step down.

Carlo Ancelotti is expected to see out the remainder of the La Liga season with Real Madrid before taking over as head coach of the Brazil national team in June. As a result, he is not expected to manage Madrid during this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup. The club’s board must now decide whether to appoint an interim manager—most likely director of football Santi Solari—or bring in a new permanent coach, with Xabi Alonso emerging as the leading candidate.

Discussions with Real Madrid are expected to continue in the coming hours and days to finalize the terms of Ancelotti’s departure.

Davide Ancelotti, Carlo’s son and current assistant, is set to begin his own managerial career. He is only expected to join his father in Brazil if he does not receive an appealing head coaching offer elsewhere.

On April 19, The Athletic reported that Ancelotti was likely to leave Madrid, with Brazil his preferred and most probable next destination. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has long admired the Italian coach and referred to him as “the president’s dream,” in reference to Ednaldo Rodrigues.

Further meetings are scheduled for next week, and if all goes smoothly, Ancelotti is expected to sign a contract with Brazil.

The Athletic also noted that Diego Fernandes, an emissary from the CBF, attended Madrid’s Champions League quarter-final loss to Arsenal on April 16. Though the organization denied he met with Ancelotti during that visit, it was understood that discussions were planned. Fernandes—a prominent Brazilian businessman who also attended the Copa del Rey final at La Cartuja—has led negotiations with discretion, maintaining respectful relations with both Real Madrid and Ancelotti.

The CBF, who have also shortlisted Al Hilal head coach Jorge Jesus, aim to appoint a new head coach before the next international break in June.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid will now begin their search for a new manager. Discussions have already taken place this season between representatives of Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso and the club, raising the possibility that the former Madrid midfielder could return to take charge at the Bernabéu this summer.

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Carlo Ancelotti has been under pressure throughout the season, with Real Madrid trailing Barcelona by four points in the La Liga title race. Their campaign took a further hit after a heavy 5-1 aggregate loss to Arsenal in the Champions League semi-finals. On Saturday, they suffered a 3-2 extra-time defeat to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final, having also fallen short in the Supercopa de España final against Hansi Flick’s side.

Back in January, Ancelotti admitted that his future at Madrid would never be his to decide, remarking that his “departure date” would be out of his hands. He even hinted at the possibility of leaving alongside club president Florentino Pérez when his term ends in 2029.

Throughout the season, Ancelotti has faced repeated questions about his future. Recently, he’s emphasized that the decision rests with the club.

“It can happen, if the club decides to make a change,” he said following the second-leg defeat to Arsenal. “There’s no problem. When my time here ends, I’ll just be thankful. Whether my contract runs out or not, I don’t care.”

Ancelotti first managed Madrid from 2013 to 2015 and returned in June 2021 to succeed Zinedine Zidane. Across both spells, he has won two La Liga titles and three Champions League trophies with the club.

He made history by becoming the only manager to win the Champions League five times, achieving the feat with Madrid’s 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in last year’s final.

Madrid’s season has also been plagued by injuries to key players, especially in defense. Both Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão suffered season-ending ACL injuries last year, undermining the club’s efforts to defend the title they had claimed by a 10-point margin over Barcelona the previous season.

Madrid will look to bounce back when they face Celta Vigo on Sunday.