The British newspaper The Athletic reported that Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti has reached a preliminary agreement with Real Madrid to leave the team in the near future. The agreement stipulates that Ancelotti will take over as head coach of the Brazil national team on a one-year contract, running until the end of the 2026 World Cup. An official announcement regarding the departure is expected before the end of the league season, with reports indicating that formal procedures are being prepared. The decision may be announced after the upcoming Clasico against Barcelona, scheduled for Sunday.
This development comes after a prolonged period of speculation about Ancelotti's future with Real Madrid, which has seen significant successes under his leadership, but also faced some challenges in the current season. It appears that the royal club has decided to settle the matter amicably with the coach, as a verbal agreement has been reached for their separation. Ancelotti is expected to take over Brazil's national team, replacing former coach Tite, who left the role in March after only 14 months in charge.
Reports suggest that Ancelotti was keen on finalizing his agreement with Real Madrid before signing with the Brazilian Football Confederation. The signing is expected to happen soon so Ancelotti can begin his new role with Brazil in the World Cup qualifiers set for June, where he will lead the team in important matches against Ecuador and Paraguay.
Xabi Alonso, the current head coach of Bayer Leverkusen, is widely considered a leading candidate to replace Ancelotti at Real Madrid. Another potential replacement is Santiago Solari, who has previously served as interim coach of the team. This managerial change could coincide with Real Madrid's preparations for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, further fueling speculation about the timing of the appointment of the new coach.
It is worth noting that Ancelotti, who has previously managed top clubs like Milan, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain, has enjoyed significant support from players and fans during his time at Real Madrid. Under his leadership, the team won several major titles, including the 2022 UEFA Champions League. However, the Italian coach sees the opportunity to manage Brazil as a new challenge in his career, particularly given the fierce competition he will face with some of the world's top coaches in the 2026 World Cup.
Reports also confirm that the Brazilian Football Confederation began searching for a new manager following the dismissal of Dori Val Junior, who was fired in March after a brief tenure, in an effort to rebuild the national team after their failure to win the 2022 World Cup.
Ancelotti's signing with Brazil represents a major step in his coaching career, as he will take charge of one of the world's biggest teams, presenting an ambitious challenge for him as he aims to achieve more success on the international stage. He is expected to begin his work with Brazil in the upcoming qualifiers, where he will lead the team in two crucial matches for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid is working on finding the ideal replacement for Ancelotti, as the club aims to maintain its technical stability and continue winning trophies in the coming years. While Xabi Alonso and Solari are among the possible options, the royal club will continue evaluating the situation closely before making a final decision regarding the next coach.
It remains to be seen how these changes will affect Real Madrid's trajectory in the coming months and how the team will respond to the challenges post-Ancelotti.
