Not with regret, but with pride in his many achievements, 65-year-old Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti is bidding farewell to his beloved Santiago Bernabéu, bringing an end to an era.
During the pre-match press conference, there were hardly any questions about the upcoming match. The name of the opponent, Mallorca, wasn’t even mentioned once. Instead, the entire conference was focused on Carlo Ancelotti’s departure. With his usual professionalism, the experienced Italian coach handled the questions, saying he was looking forward to embracing new challenges in Brazil after enjoying his final weeks at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Ancelotti will leave Real Madrid with a year left on his contract. Most of his second spell at the club has been marked by success, but this season has not been ideal. He lost two finals to arch-rivals Barcelona, and his team also faced defeat in both league encounters. They were knocked out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals and could lose the La Liga title this week.
But Ancelotti is not just focusing on this season. Reflecting on his entire coaching journey, including his time at Everton, he takes pride in his numerous accomplishments.
On Monday, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced that Ancelotti would replace Dunga Junior as coach. He will begin his new role with Brazil on May 26. The very next day, Ancelotti faced the media for the first time since the announcement, where, naturally, all the attention was on him.
The first question in the press conference was related to the final three rounds of La Liga, posed by Real Madrid’s own TV channel. It was at that moment that Ancelotti made it clear that, until May 25, his thoughts would only be with Real Madrid.
“There are unforgettable years that I will hold close to my heart. Football, like life, is full of adventure, and just as it begins, it will eventually end. I always knew that one day, my time at Real Madrid would come to an end.”
“It’s been a wonderful chapter, and it’s now nearing its conclusion. It’s been a great time. But just as life comes to an end, imagine how it feels when your time with a football club comes to an end. I’ve enjoyed my time here, and I want to end it on a positive note. After that, on the 26th, I’ll talk about the new challenges ahead.”
Real Madrid has not officially confirmed Ancelotti’s departure yet. When asked by reporters, the outgoing coach assured that all parties were involved in the decision.
“Real Madrid will issue a statement when they feel the time is right. But there are no problems or issues between any of the parties involved.”
“I’ve never had any issues with Real Madrid, and I never will. This club will always have my love in my heart. But as with everything in life, there comes a time for it to end.”
At 65, Ancelotti is one of the most successful coaches in football. His second spell at Real Madrid brought even more success, but his team now faces a trophyless season.
With three rounds to go, Real Madrid are 7 points behind Barcelona. If they fail to beat Mallorca on Wednesday, Barcelona will clinch the title. Even if Real Madrid win, they’ll have to defeat Espanyol the following day for any hope of keeping the title race alive.
As the season nears its dramatic conclusion, many had speculated that Ancelotti’s future would be confirmed after Real Madrid’s final match against Real Sociedad. His departure, along with Xabi Alonso’s likely appointment as his successor, seemed almost certain. Ancelotti, who had worked with Alonso in his first spell at the club, spoke highly of the Spanish midfielder.
“I’m a big fan of Alonso. He doesn’t need any advice from me because he has everything to become a fantastic coach in the future.”
Although Ancelotti’s time at Real Madrid hasn’t ended on the best note, he leaves the Bernabéu with satisfaction.
“When I came here, if someone had told me that I would win 11 trophies in four years, I would have signed it in blood. For many reasons, this season hasn’t gone well, but the entire journey has been unforgettable.”
“In the remaining years of my life, I can’t continue as the coach of Madrid. For many reasons, it’s coming to an end. The club needs new energy now. I don’t want to say much about it. I thank this club for everything, and we will move forward. I will always be a Madrid fan. This is the end of an era. It’s been extraordinary. I never thought I would stay as Madrid’s coach for six years, but now it has happened.”
