Carlo Ancelotti to Lead Brazil After Real Madrid Exit

Carlo Ancelotti will leave his position as head coach of Real Madrid at the end of the current season to assume leadership of the Brazil national football team, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed on Monday. The move will make Ancelotti the first non-Brazilian to manage the national team, as he prepares to guide them through their qualification campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The 65-year-old Italian has signed on to lead Brazil until the end of the 2026 tournament, which will be hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. His debut matches are set for next month, when Brazil will face Ecuador and Paraguay in critical South American qualifying fixtures.

This transition comes after Brazil parted ways with former coach Dorival Junior in March, following a heavy 4-1 defeat to Argentina. Currently fourth in the CONMEBOL qualification standings, Brazil are looking to stabilize under new leadership ahead of major international competitions.

Ancelotti Departs as One of Real Madrid’s Most Decorated Managers

Ancelotti’s exit marks the end of an era at Real Madrid, where he has enjoyed immense success across two managerial spells. Since first arriving in 2013, the veteran tactician has claimed a total of 15 trophies with the Spanish giants. These achievements include multiple La Liga titles, Copa del Rey victories, and a Champions League triumph that delivered the club’s long-awaited 10th European crown in 2014.

He was dismissed in 2015 but returned in 2021 following Zinedine Zidane’s departure. In his second tenure, he added to his European legacy by securing two more Champions League titles, including victories in 2022 and 2024. Ancelotti now holds the record for the most UEFA Champions League titles as a manager, with five to his name—three with Real Madrid and two with AC Milan, earned in 2003 and 2007.

Beyond Spain and Italy, Ancelotti has also managed top-tier clubs across Europe, including Chelsea in England and Paris Saint-Germain in France, consistently earning silverware and maintaining a reputation as one of the most accomplished coaches in modern football.

Xabi Alonso to Succeed Ancelotti at Real Madrid

Real Madrid are expected to appoint Xabi Alonso as their new head coach following Ancelotti’s departure. Alonso, a former Real Madrid midfielder and current manager of Bayer Leverkusen, recently confirmed he would be stepping down from his position at the German club. The move is viewed as a strategic transition, bringing in a coach who is not only familiar with Real Madrid’s culture but also rising in prominence within the managerial ranks.

As Ancelotti prepares to begin his international chapter with Brazil, Real Madrid is set to start a new cycle under Alonso’s leadership, continuing its pursuit of domestic and European dominance. The handover between two generations of coaches symbolizes a pivotal moment for both teams ahead of upcoming challenges.