Italian coach aims to finish his tenure with dignity as Madrid title hopes fade.
Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed he will remain fully committed to Real Madrid until the end of the season, despite being officially announced as the next head coach of Brazil’s national team. The 65-year-old Italian manager made the remarks during a press conference on Tuesday, ahead of Madrid’s La Liga fixture against Mallorca.
“From May 26, I will be the coach of Brazil and that’s an important challenge,” Ancelotti said. “But I want to finish this final stretch of my fantastic adventure here in the right way. I want to respect this shirt until the last day.”
Ancelotti, relaxed and wearing Real Madrid gear as usual, led the team’s training session before addressing the media. It was his first public statement since the Brazilian Football Confederation made the appointment official on Monday. Real Madrid, for its part, has yet to release a statement acknowledging Ancelotti’s departure or congratulating him on the new role.
“The club will release a statement when it decides to, there is no problem,” said Ancelotti.
Madrid’s Season Stumbles, and a Successor Waits
The timing of Ancelotti’s departure comes as Real Madrid’s title hopes have all but vanished following a 4-3 defeat to Barcelona on Sunday. Madrid had led by two goals before conceding four, marking their fourth straight loss in El Clásico and leaving them seven points behind the Catalan side with just three games remaining.
Should Madrid lose or draw against Mallorca on Wednesday, Barcelona could clinch the league title the following day with a win over city rivals Espanyol.
Madrid’s final two league matches are scheduled against Sevilla and Real Sociedad, with Ancelotti set to conclude his second spell at the club on May 25. Despite recent disappointments, Ancelotti’s legacy is firmly cemented. Across his two stints (2013–2015 and 2021–2025), he has managed 350 matches and helped the club capture three UEFA Champions League titles, three FIFA Club World Cups, two La Liga championships, two Copa del Rey trophies, three UEFA Super Cups, and two Spanish Super Cups.
His next chapter will be leading the Brazilian national team, a rare honor for a European manager and a role that underscores his standing in world football.
Xabi Alonso Likely to Take the Reins
Although no successor has been formally announced, Xabi Alonso—former Madrid midfielder and current coach of Bayer Leverkusen—remains the frontrunner. Alonso recently confirmed his departure from Leverkusen, fueling speculation that he will return to the Spanish capital as manager.
“I care a lot about him,” Ancelotti said. “I have no advice for him because he has all the tools to become a great coach.”
Ancelotti’s respectful tone toward both his successor and the club reinforced his desire to leave on good terms, despite criticism from some fans over recent performances. Many supporters have voiced frustration over his perceived loss of control in key matches, particularly against Barcelona.
Injuries Pile Up Ahead of Mallorca Clash
Madrid faces mounting injury concerns heading into the Mallorca game. Rodrygo, who missed the weekend’s clash with Barcelona due to illness, left training early on Tuesday. Several other regular starters are also unavailable.
Kylian Mbappé, however, is expected to start. The French striker scored a hat-trick against Barcelona, bringing his La Liga tally to 27 goals—two more than Robert Lewandowski of Barcelona—in what has been a standout debut season with Los Blancos.
While the team started strong, winning the UEFA Super Cup earlier in the campaign, Madrid’s inconsistency has derailed hopes of repeating last season’s domestic and European dominance. Still, Ancelotti remains philosophical.
“Maybe the club needs a new spark,” he admitted. “I’m not making a drama out of this. A thousand thanks to this club. I’ll be a Madridista for life.”