Los Blancos boss rejects talk of drama between him and the club and says decision to leave is mutual
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed he will leave the club at the end of the season and become the manager of the Brazil national team. The Italian said that he would officially take charge of Brazil on 26 May, the day after Madrid’s final league fixture.
While Brazil’s football federation, the CBF, announced Ancelotti’s appointment on Monday, Real Madrid have yet to issue any statement about the Italian’s departure. However, Ancelotti refused to discuss the matter, insisting “there’s no need for drama”.
“Madrid will publish a statement when they want to, there’s no problem there,” said Ancelotti. “They’ll do it when it’s the right time for Real Madrid.
“[Brazil] is a big challenge, but until 26 May I’m still Madrid coach. I want to end the final stage of this fantastic adventure well. Out of the respect I have for this club, the fans and players, I’m totally focused.”
The 64-year-old also said that the decision to part ways was mutual.
“Football, like life, is an adventure that begins and ends,” he said. “When you arrive at Real Madrid, you know that one day it’s over. I want to end things well here, that’s what my professionalism demands.
“I couldn’t be Real Madrid coach forever. [That’s] for a lot of reasons. It might be the club needs fresh impetus. They’re normal things in life, there’s no need for drama.
“Maybe it was the time for a change, that’s all. It’s a mutual decision to end it here.”
Former Real Madrid player Xabi Alonso is set to replace Ancelotti at the helm. However, the club haven’t confirmed this either, with only Leverkusen releasing a statement confirming the departure of their manager.
Madrid are set to finish the campaign without major silverware, having been knocked out of the Champions League by Arsenal and beaten in the Copa del Rey final by Barcelona. Sunday’s 4-3 clásico loss all but ended their La Liga title hopes as they now trail Barcelona by seven points with just three games left.
