Carlo Ancelotti has officially sealed his move to Brazil, where he’ll take over the national team in what will be his first experience managing at the international level. As his time in charge of Real Madrid comes to an end, the Italian manager has offered a candid reflection on his tenure at the club.
After winning both La Liga and the UEFA Champions League last season, Real Madrid endured a disappointing 2024–25 campaign, falling short of expectations in key competitions. Speaking at Tuesday’s press conference, Ancelotti was asked if he feels frustrated about how things ended. The veteran coach didn’t hesitate in his response.
“Frustration? No, because if the day I arrived they told me I’d win eleven titles in four years, I would’ve signed that in blood. It’s been an unforgettable chapter… I can’t regret anything, and I want to enjoy these last days to the fullest. I gave everything I had, and the trophies speak for themselves.”
Ancelotti departs as the most successful manager in Real Madrid history, having won 15 titles—including three UEFA Champions League trophies. When asked what legacy he believes he leaves behind, he added: “Not everything went perfectly, but there were unforgettable nights at the Bernabeu.”
With just three La Liga matches left before he officially hands over the reins, Ancelotti is expected to receive a proper send-off from the club and its fans. While recent results haven’t gone Madrid’s way, Ancelotti’s time with the club has been marked by remarkable success and a deep connection with its identity and values.
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Although Ancelotti signed an extension in 2023 that was supposed to keep him at the helm through 2026, this season’s struggles appear to have accelerated his departure. Even before the Brazil agreement was finalized, his future had been a topic of speculation for months.
When asked whether the decision to leave was his or the club’s, Ancelotti clarified the situation: “I never felt that Madrid didn’t want me. Madrid wants me—even if I go to Brazil on the 25th, Madrid still wants me. The club has always shown me love. I couldn’t be Real Madrid’s coach forever.“
He continued by addressing the broader context of his exit. “This is ending for many reasons. Maybe the club needs a new spark. There’s no need to make a drama out of it,” the coach stated. “A thousand thanks to this club. And we move forward. I’ll be a Madridista for life. It’s a chapter that’s ending—an incredible one. I never thought I’d coach Real Madrid for six years, and yet, it happened,” Ancelotti ended.
