Carlo Ancelotti Real Madrid reign nears its end: What is next for the Bernebeu?
Real Madrid head coach, Carlo Ancelotti. Photo Credit-Yahoo Sports
The Santiago Bernebeu, which is regarded as the throne room of football, is preparing for a shocking shift. Carlo Ancelotti, one of the most decorated manager in Real Madrid’s illustrious history, is set to depart after the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on April 26, according. The 65-year-old Italian, whose trophy cabinet gleams with 15 titles across two spells at the club includes three Champions League trophies has cast a long shadow.
However, after a crushing 5-1 aggregate exit to Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-finals and in second position behind Barcelona by four-point in La Liga, Ancelotti’s era appears to be in its twilight. As the football world buzzes with speculation about his next move potentially to Brazil’s national team, the question that begs for answer lies in who can fill the void at one of the world’s most demanding clubs?
Ancelotti’s Real Madrid legacy
Ancelotti’s second stint, beginning in 2021, has been a masterclass in managing chaos and conjuring glory. He delivered two La Liga titles, two Champions Leagues, a Copa del Rey, two UEFA Super Cups, two Spanish Super Cups, a Club World Cup, and an Intercontinental Cup, solidifying his status as one of Madrid’s most successful coach. His first spell (2013–2015) added a Champions League, a Copa del Rey, and a Club World Cup, among others, with a record 22-match winning streak in 2014. Ancelotti’s five Champions League titles as a manager, three with Real, two with AC Milan remains unmatched, plus his unique feat of winning all five major European leagues.
Yet, the 2024/25 season has tested his pedigree. Madrid’s 11 losses across competitions, including shock defeats to Lille, AC Milan, and Liverpool in the Champions League group stage, exposed team weaknesses. The 5-2 Spanish Super Cup loss to Barcelona and the Arsenal defeat where Madrid managed just four shots on target over two legs ignited fan unhappiness. Ancelotti’s post-Arsenal remarks and other statement in match press conferences has fueled reports of his exit.
Ancelotti’s departure isn’t just a managerial shift; it is the end of an era. His ability to combine veterans like Luka Modric with young stars like Vinicius Junior, while integrating Kylian Mbappe, showcased his adaptability. But injuries to Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, and others, coupled with Toni Kroos’ retirement, weakened his squad. With the Copa del Rey final potentially his last act, Ancelotti’s legacy is secure, but the future beckons.
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Why Ancelotti departure is happening now
The timing of Ancelotti’s exit, expected post-Copa del Rey, is as a result of some combined factors. Madrid’s Champions League elimination, their third semi-final absence in 12 seasons was the last straw that broke the Carmel’s back. Trailing Barcelona by four points with less than seven La Liga games left, the title feels out of their reach. Ancelotti’s contract runs until 2026, but reports suggest he’s ready to move on, possibly to Brazil, where the Brazil football authorities has for long kept interest in him.
Ancelotti’s own words reflect weariness. In March, he admitted the tough schedule and motivating players were “taking its toll.” Reports in January showed that he felt his cycle at Madrid had concluded, a sentiment echoed by his post-Arsenal openness to change. Fan frustration, evident in whistles after the Barcelona Super Cup loss, and Florentino Perez’s forward-thinking strategy, always prioritizing youth players like Endrick shows the need for a change.
Will Brazil be Ancelotti’s next chapter?
Ancelotti’s departure is not retirement but a time to explore new horizons. Brazil’s CBF, without a coach since Dorival Junior’s March sacking, sees Ancelotti as their “dream” signing for the 2026 World Cup. The Athletic reported contact in 2022 and 2023, with renewed urgency for June qualifiers against Paraguay and Ecuador. Sky Sports noted Diego Fernandes’ “highly strategic” brokering, though Al-Hilal’s Jorge Jesus is a fallback. Ancelotti’s global experience and tactical experience could transform Brazil, but the CBF’s deadline pressures his decision.
What is next for Real Madrid?
The post-Ancelotti era demands a reset. Real’s squad, blending veterans (Modric, Courtois) with youth (Endrick, Bellingham), needs a coach to harness Mbappe’s potential and improve a defense ravaged by injuries (Militao, Carvajal out). Alonso’s youth-driven approach and Spanish roots make him the ideal candidate, with Perez planning for a decade-long project. Zidane’s proven pedigree offers stability, while Klopp’s dynamism could be worthy for the position. Whoever takes the wheel inherits a club that stands at a point you cannot describe whether they are going forward or in reverse.
Conclusion
As Ancelotti prepares for his Bernebeu exit potentially lifting the Copa del Rey to cap his 15-trophy haul, his gratitude resonates his gratitude to the club. The final against Barcelona could be a fitting farewell for a man who turned “the dark side” into moments of brilliance. For Real Madrid, the search for his successor is underway, with Alonso leading the pack. The Bernebeu awaits its next stage, will they match the GOAT’s legacy? Only time will tell.
