Ancelotti excited for Brazil as farewell looms
Carlo Ancelotti says he has no desire to coach another club in the future as he prepares to leave Real Madrid to coach the Brazil national team.
The Selecao confirmed earlier this month that Ancelotti would be taking over after the conclusion of the LaLiga season, and the Italian will take charge of his final game at home against Real Sociedad on Sunday (AEST).
He leaves Madrid having won 15 trophies with the club over his two spells, making him its most successful coach in terms of silverware.
Ancelotti became the first coach to win titles in each of Europe's top-five leagues, after Madrid's LaLiga success in 2021-2022.
He also holds the LaLiga record for the most consecutive matches without defeat, which is 42 games between September 2023 and October 2024, 31 of which he won.
"These are things I don't know," Ancelotti said when asked if he would like to return to Madrid after his Brazil tenure ends.
"I don't feel like coaching another club, or I didn't, after Madrid. That's what I've said and I maintain. In the future ... I don't know. But the most immediate thing is to do well with Brazil.
"I'm very excited to have the opportunity to not betray Madrid with any other club and to go to the national team with the most history, the five-time champions. It's a great challenge, but I love being able to prepare for a World Cup with Brazil."
In a post on Instagram, Ancelotti bade farewell to Madrid.
"We go separate ways again. Again, I take in my heart every moment lived in this wonderful second stage as Real Madrid coach," he said.
"It's been unforgettable years, an incredible journey full of emotions, titles and, above all, the pride of representing this shield.
"Thanks to the president Florentino Perez, to the club, to my players, to my staff and, above all, to this unique fan that has always made me feel like one of them. What we have achieved together will remain forever in the memory of Madridism, not only for the triumphs, but for the way we achieved them. The magic nights of the Bernabeu are already football history.
"Now a new adventure begins, but my bond with Real Madrid is eternal."
Ancelotti, whose current deal was due to expire in June 2026, has won the UEFA Champions League three times at Madrid. He is the coach with the most UEFA Champions League titles in the history of the competition – five – and is also the only coach to have taken part in six UEFA Champions League finals.
However, Madrid is set to finish this season without a trophy, having missed out on the LaLiga title to Barcelona, which also beat Los Blancos in the Copa del Rey and Supercopa de Espana finals.
Media reports have linked former Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso as his replacement, with the Spaniard leaving German club Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season.
Madrid reportedly wants to have Alonso in place before the FIFA Club World Cup, which begins on 16 June (AEST), but is has not yet confirmed him as Ancelotti's replacement.
When asked, Ancelotti said he had no advice for his former player.
"Everyone has their own methodology, but let him enjoy Madrid. Xabi Alonso will be the first, and I wish him all the luck in the world," Ancelotti said.
"He has the quality to coach Madrid. Let him enjoy it."
Second-placed Madrid hosts 11th-placed Real Sociedad on Sunday (AEST) in its final game of the season, which will also mark the final game of Luka Modric at Santiago Bernabeu.
The 39-year-old, who is the club's most decorated player and the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner, will leave Madrid after the FIFA Club World Cup.
"I get emotional very quickly. It's going to be an emotional day. If I start crying, there's no problem," Ancelotti said.
"It will be nice and I share it with Modric... who has been a spectacular support in this stage at Madrid. Someone fantastic, a legend. To say goodbye with him will be nice."
