Carlo Ancelotti says Real Madrid is a club he will “keep in my heart” as he spoke for the first time since being appointed Brazil head coach.
The Brazil Football Federation (CBF) confirmed the appointment of Ancelotti on Monday and he will begin the role on May 26.
It brings an end to his four years in charge at Madrid, and six in total across two separate spells, in which time he has won two La Liga titles and the
Champions League on three occasions.
Speaking at his first press conference since Monday’s announcement, Ancelotti said: “Football, as in life, is an adventure that begins and ends. I arrived at Madrid knowing that one day it will end, and that day is May 25. I want to finish well because that is what my professionalism asks of me. On the 26th I will talk about another challenge.
“I’ve never had a problem with the club and I’m not going to have one, it’s a club that I’ll keep in my heart. I have a fantastic memory that will stay with me for life.”
The Athletic reported in March conversations had taken place with Xabi Alonso about him succeeding Ancelotti.
Club sources are confident the Bayer Leverkusen head coach will lead the team at the 2025 Club World Cup, which begins in June. Alonso announced his exit from the Bundesliga club last week.
Asked if he had any advice for his former midfielder, Ancelotti replied: “I have a lot of love for Xabi Alonso, I don’t have much advice to give him because he has all the tools to be a great coach in the future.”
Alonso’s Leverkusen departure has been confirmed (Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Ancelotti took charge of Madrid in June 2021 for his second spell at the club after resigning from Premier League side Everton. He won two La Liga titles, three Champions Leagues, two Spanish Super Cups and the Copa del Rey twice across the two stints, but is set to miss out on a trophy in his final season in charge. Sunday’s 4-3 Clasico defeat to Barcelona leaves Madrid trailing their rivals by seven points at the top of La Liga with three league games remaining.
Madrid are yet to officially announce his departure, and the Italian said the club would do so “when it is convenient for Madrid”. He insisted he had always felt appreciated at the club and would continue to support them “all my life”.
“I’ve never felt that Madrid didn’t want me, Madrid wants me even if on the 25th I go to Brazil,” Ancelotti added. “Madrid has always shown me love.
“It was clear to me that I couldn’t be coach of Madrid all my life. This season is over; a thousand thanks to this team, every club. I will be a Madrid fan all my life. I never thought in my life that I could coach Madrid for six years.”
Paul Clement, who has been assistant to Ancelotti at Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Everton and during his first spell at Madrid, is expected to join him with Brazil.
Davide Ancelotti, Francesco Mauri, Mino Fulco and Simone Montanaro will also join Ancelotti’s backroom team. Davide has interest from a number of clubs but is still set to be part of his father’s staff for the June qualifiers. The CBF could add a Brazilian to the group with Madrid doing similar with Ancelotti in 2013 (Zinedine Zidane) and 2014 (Fernando Hierro).
CBF representatives, including president Ednaldo Rodrigues, are set to travel to Madrid to meet with Ancelotti ahead of his appointment.
‘One of the most uncomfortable press conferences’ – what it was like in the room with Ancelotti
By Guillermo Rai
I don’t know if it was the worst, but it was one of the most uncomfortable press conferences for Ancelotti.
After yesterday’s announcement by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) that the Italian would become their coach, expectations were high in Valdebebas, Madrid’s training ground.
The press room was packed, with journalists even standing up because of the lack of chairs, including half a dozen journalists from Brazilian media.
The Italian clutched the Madrid crest several times nervously to justify that he cannot speak any more out of respect for the club.
Despite this, he had to face the many questions about how the deal with Brazil was concluded and what his plans for the future are.
Even though there are still three LaLiga games to play (against Mallorca, Sevilla and Real Sociedad), this is an anomalous situation given that Madrid have not yet officially announced Ancelotti’s departure.
Even if Brazil have already confirmed it, it is still expected that the club — where there was not much surprise at his departure as they have long foreseen this — will still do so.
(Top photo: Thomas Coex/AFP via Getty Images)