Brazil-bound Ancelotti focussing only on ‘spectacular adventure' Real

Qatar Tribune

13-05-2025

dpa
Madrid
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Tuesday he is only focussing on the final three matches of his 'spectacular adventure' at Real Madrid before becoming Brazil national team coach.
The Brazilian federation CBF said that Italian Ancelotti would take over the ailing Selecao from May 26, the day after the end of the La Liga season, and lead them to the 2026 World Cup.
Real won the league and a record extending 15th Champions League title last year but are set to come up empty-handed this term.
Sunday's 4-3 defeat against Barcelona saw them slip seven points behind their big rivals with three matches left. Barca will clinch the title either if Real fail to beat Mallorca on Wednesday or if they defeat Valladolid on Thursday.
Ancelotti told reporters on Tuesday that the Brazil job will be 'a great challenge' but that his only concern for now is ending the season in the best possible way with Real.
'I want to bring it to a good end. I must first think about the days that remain here,' he said.
'Because of the big respect I have for the club, the fans and the players I am fully concentrated on what I have to do in the final stage of this spectacular adventure.' Ancelotti had a contract until 2026 at Real but there had been speculation for weeks that his days were numbered in a season that he said didn't go well 'for many reasons.' But he insisted he was not leaving with 'a feeling of frustration.
'If someone had told me at my arrival that I would win 11 titles with Real Madrid I would have signed that immediately,' he said.
'I had a great time and I believe that everyone here had a great time. I never had a problem with the club. I have the club in my heart and will continue to do so.'
Ancelotti, 65, coached Real 2015-2017 and again since 2021, with Sunday's Clasico his 350th game in charge. He is the only coach to win titles in all five European top leagues of England, Germany, Italy, France and Spain.
Real are yet to make an official announcement of any kind on the coaching situation which doesn't bother him.
'Real Madrid will make a statement when they think the time is right for a statement,' he said.
Former Real player Xabi Alonso, who played under Ancelotti in 2013-14, is widely tipped as Ancelotti's successor. Alonso last week announced his exit at Germany's Bayer Leverkusen, who he led to a historic unbeaten Bundesliga and German Cup double last year.
'I like Xabi a lot. I have no advice because he has all the tools to be a big coach in the future,' Ancelotti said.