Carlo Ancelotti’s tenure at Real Madrid appears to be reaching its end, despite the team’s commendable performance in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona, where they came within seven minutes of securing victory before succumbing in extra time. The 2024/25 season has been filled with highs and lows for Madrid, and while the club continues to fight for the La Liga title, the future of their head coach is now the subject of intense speculation. Ancelotti's time at the club has been characterized by significant success, including winning multiple trophies, but it now seems that both parties are ready to part ways.
Sources close to the club have confirmed that Ancelotti's departure is imminent, irrespective of Madrid's ongoing chase for the domestic title. The driving force behind the expected exit is Ancelotti’s long-standing connection with the Brazil national team, who are eager to have him in charge for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Ecuador in July. This potential move to Brazil has been widely anticipated for some time, with Ancelotti reportedly close to finalizing the deal despite having a year remaining on his contract with Real Madrid.
Reports suggest that Brazil is highly confident in securing Ancelotti’s services for the international duties, as the Italian coach is seen as the ideal candidate to lead them into the next World Cup campaign. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has been in negotiations with the coach for months, and the prospect of taking charge of the national team has proven attractive for Ancelotti, particularly as he looks for a fresh challenge after his time at Madrid.
According to reports from Relevo, Ancelotti is expected to remain in charge for the remainder of the 2024/25 La Liga campaign, but he will not take the team into the Club World Cup in June and July. Instead, either Xabi Alonso or Sporting Director Santiago Solari is expected to take over the reins for those fixtures, signaling the near end of Ancelotti's journey at the club. The decision to part ways with the coach has been described by Marca as a “question of hours,” with an imminent meeting between Ancelotti and Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez likely to formalize the exit strategy and assess the season’s shortcomings.
As per Cadena SER, while the timing of the departure is nearly certain, Ancelotti has expressed a preference to take a short sabbatical after his time with Madrid rather than immediately jumping into the Brazil national team role in early June. Ancelotti’s desire for a brief break reflects his wish to transition smoothly into his next chapter, which may be his final managerial post. Despite Brazil’s eagerness to secure his services for the upcoming qualifiers, the coach is taking a moment to reflect before embarking on his international duties.
While a late surge in La Liga, which could see Madrid clinch the title, may complicate the optics of his departure, both the club and Ancelotti appear to be in agreement about the inevitability of a parting. The coach’s inability to consistently get the best out of his squad throughout the season, coupled with Real Madrid’s struggles in certain key moments, has led to questions about his long-term future. However, Ancelotti, who has already achieved significant success with Madrid, may view this as the perfect opportunity to exit on his own terms. Leaving the club after a successful stint, where he played a crucial role in maintaining Madrid’s position as one of the top clubs in Europe, would allow him to close this chapter of his career with dignity, making way for new challenges and a fresh international role with Brazil.