Real Madrid’s legendary Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly making a significant career change soon. He is set to leave the Spanish giants and take over as head coach for the Brazilian national team in anticipation of the 2026 World Cup, which will take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Reports indicate that Ancelotti will part ways with Real Madrid following the conclusion of the 2024-25 season. He is expected to join Brazil before the Club World Cup scheduled for this summer in the U.S. Ancelotti’s contract, however, is anticipated to be short-term, focusing primarily on the World Cup qualifiers scheduled for this summer.
Recently, Real Madrid was eliminated by Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals and faced a 3-2 defeat to FC Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final. Nonetheless, they remain competitive in La Liga, where they are currently positioned second, trailing behind Hansi Flick’s team. A potentially pivotal match against Barcelona awaits on May 11, which could serve as Ancelotti’s final El Clasico as Real Madrid’s head coach.
⚡️ NEW: Carlo Ancelotti set to leave Real Madrid and take the Brazil head coach role
He will join Brazil for their matches in June, and his contract with the national team is not expected to be long-term.
More details at The Athletic link.
The Brazilian Football Association (C.B.F.) is currently engaged in discussions with Ancelotti’s camp regarding his contract. It is not yet clear if an agreement can be reached to end Ancelotti’s existing terms with Real Madrid prior to his appointment. Questions also linger about his ability to select the national team’s roster for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in June.
Brazil continues to be in prime position to qualify for the next World Cup despite recently suffering a 4-1 loss to Argentina during qualification. They will face Ecuador and Paraguay in June, marking possibly Ancelotti’s debut with the national side.
Ancelotti is celebrated as one of the sport’s most successful managers, having won 31 major trophies across his esteemed career in Italy, France, Germany, Spain, and England. He is also the sole manager to have won league titles in all five major European leagues and holds the record for the most Champions League and UEFA Super Cup titles (five each) as a coach. Winning a major trophy with Brazil would represent another historic achievement in the career of one of soccer’s greatest managers.
