‘Madrid still loves me’ but departing Carlo Ancelotti admits club needs ‘fresh impetus’

Carlo Ancelotti dismissed suggestions he’d lost the love of Real Madrid and its fans but admitted the club may need fresh impetus.

The Brazil Football Federation (CBF) announced yesterday that Ancelotti will take over as head coach of the national team on May 26, shortly after Madrid’s final Liga game of the season and prior to this summer’s Club World Cup.

It ends the Italian’s second spell at Madrid and he will depart having led the club to 15 trophies in total, including two La Ligas and three Champions League titles.

This season has been a major disappointment, however – Sunday’s 4-3 Clasico defeat at Barcelona meaning Madrid have little chance of retaining their domestic crown while the quarter-final defeat to Arsenal ended their defence of the Champions League.

@MrAncelotti, 350 games for Real Madrid.

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) May 11, 2025

Ancelotti confident his Real Madrid legacy will live on

Despite that, Ancelotti believes the fans will look fondly on his time at the Santiago Bernabeu.

He said: “I have never felt that Madrid did not love me. Madrid loves me. It has always shown me affection. 

“I couldn’t be Madrid’s coach all my life. This ends for many reasons.

“The club may need a fresh impetus. I don’t make a drama of this. Many thanks to this club, I will be from Madrid all my life. It’s a period that ends. Spectacular. I never thought I could coach Madrid for six years and it’s over.”

Ancelotti’s contract was not due to expire until the summer of 2026 but both parties appear happy to have brought his departure forward by 12 months.

“Soccer, as in life, has adventures that begin and end,” he added. “I always knew that one day it would end. A very nice period is over. I had a great time. But as in all things in life there is a moment like that. 

“I have had a good time, and I want to end it well. On the 26th I will talk about another challenge. 

“I have never had a problem with the club and I will never have one. It’s a club that I have in my heart and I will also have it in my heart when this adventure is over, with a fantastic memory that will stay with me for life.”

No words on Brazil until Madrid adventure is done

The many Brazilian journalists at this morning’s press conference were eager to quiz Ancelotti about his plans with the Selecao but the former AC Milan defender refused to get ahead of himself.

“From the 26th I will be coach of Brazil,” he said. “It’s an important challenge, but I’m still the Madrid coach. I want to finish this period well. 

“I know you will be interested in what I will do but I must think about the days I have left here. Because of the respect I have for this club and these fans, I am focused on this last stretch of this spectacular adventure.”

No issue with Madrid’s lack of statement – Ancelotti

Although the CBF released their statement yesterday, Madrid have yet to comment on Ancelotti’s impending departure.

Asked if he knew why, the 65-year-old said: “Madrid will release the statement when they want to. There is no problem whatsoever. I don’t know when they’ll do it. They will do it at the time they deem appropriate. Nothing to add.”

Madrid host Real Mallorca tomorrow in what will be Ancelotti’s penultimate game in charge at the Bernabeu.

Xabi Alonso will replace him for next season but Ancelotti said he had no specific words of wisdom for the Bayer Leverkusen boss.

“I don’t have any advice,” he said, “because he has all the tools to be a great coach in the future.”