According to the latest report by Spanish outlet Relevo, Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti is expected to part ways with the club at the end of the 2023–24 season, marking the end of his second spell at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The veteran Italian manager is set to take the helm of the Brazil national team, beginning a new chapter in his illustrious coaching career.
A Farewell with Honor: Ancelotti to Step Down in May
As La Liga approaches its final stretch, Ancelotti’s future with Real Madrid has become a topic of intense speculation.
With his current contract set to expire in June 2024, sources close to Relevo suggest that Ancelotti has already reached a preliminary agreement with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) and could officially step down after Real Madrid’s final league match on May 25.
Unlike his abrupt dismissal in 2015, this departure is expected to be ceremonious. The club hierarchy, led by president Florentino Pérez, reportedly wishes to give Ancelotti a respectful and dignified farewell—befitting a manager who now holds the record for the most trophies in the club’s history.
Brazil Eager to Secure Ancelotti for 2026 World Cup Campaign
The CBF has been monitoring Ancelotti’s situation since early 2023, targeting him as their top candidate to guide the Seleção through qualification and toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A CBF representative recently flew to Madrid for direct talks with Ancelotti, signaling that negotiations have reached their final stage.
For the 64-year-old coach, this would be his first experience leading a national team—an exciting challenge for someone who has conquered nearly everything at the club level.
“I want to try something different,” Ancelotti recently said in an interview. “Taking charge of a national team, especially one like Brazil, with so much talent, would be a thrilling experience.”
Xabi Alonso Identified as Successor, Awaiting the Right Moment
Following Ancelotti’s expected departure, Real Madrid has already identified their top candidate to succeed him: Xabi Alonso.
The former midfield maestro, currently managing Bayer Leverkusen, has seen his reputation soar after guiding the German side to impressive form in the Bundesliga and European competitions.
Alonso reportedly has a verbal agreement with Leverkusen allowing him to leave if Real Madrid comes calling.
However, Relevo notes that the club is in no rush to initiate the succession plan. Madrid will wait until the season concludes—once La Liga, Champions League, and Copa del Rey duties are fulfilled—before officially making their move to ensure minimal disruption in the dressing room.
Ancelotti’s Second Era: Trophies, Stability, and Trust
Since returning to Madrid in 2021, Ancelotti has led Los Blancos to an impressive list of silverware: Champions League, La Liga, Spanish Super Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and Club World Cup.
His calm leadership, ability to manage egos, and trust in youth have helped Real Madrid transition through a period of generational change.
Whether it’s guiding veterans like Luka Modrić or integrating future stars like Jude Bellingham, Ancelotti’s impact has been measured not just in trophies, but in the stability he brought to the Bernabéu.
End of an Era, Start of a New Journey
If all goes according to plan, Ancelotti will step down in May with his head held high, having given Real Madrid another era of success and stability.
His next destination—the Brazilian national team—marks both a personal challenge and a monumental moment in international football.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid will enter a new coaching era, potentially under the leadership of a former player who knows the club’s DNA inside out: Xabi Alonso.
This summer is shaping up to be a pivotal turning point not just for Real Madrid and Brazil, but for world football as a whole.
