In Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti emphasized his commitment to his current role at Real Madrid before he transitions to coaching Brazilโs national team in two weeks. Brazil appointed Ancelotti as the new head coach on Monday, but the Italian manager refrained from addressing the news until it was raised in a press conference ahead of Real Madridโs match against Mallorca on Wednesday.
Expressing his respect for the Madrid club and its supporters, Ancelotti stated that he remains focused on concluding his tenure at Real Madrid on a high note. He expressed excitement about starting his new role as Brazilโs coach on May 26, recognizing the personal challenge it presents. However, until then, he aims to continue fulfilling his responsibilities at Madrid with full dedication.
Speculation surrounds former Madrid player Xabi Alonso as a potential successor to Ancelotti, especially after Alonso announced his departure from Bayer Leverkusen. Nonetheless, Real Madrid has not yet made an official statement about Ancelottiโs replacement. Ancelotti spoke favorably about Alonso, highlighting his potential to succeed as a coach without needing additional advice.
During a training session wearing the clubโs gear, Ancelotti appeared calm and prepared for the upcoming match. He addressed the media, marking his first public comments since Brazil announced his appointment. Notably, Real Madrid has not issued statements or messages regarding Ancelottiโs new role or departure following the Brazil announcement. Ancelotti indicated that the timing for any official club statement rests with Real Madrid and noted no concerns over the lack of immediate reaction.
Real Madrid recently endured a fourth consecutive defeat to Barcelona in a nail-biting 4-3 loss, where they squandered a two-goal advantage. This defeat further diminished Madridโs chances of securing the league title, placing them seven points behind Barcelona with three fixtures remaining. A draw or loss against Mallorca could seal Barcelonaโs championship triumph, with Barcelona poised to face city rival Espanyol on Thursday.
Madridโs final league matches include contests against Sevilla and Real Sociedad on May 25. Ancelottiโs impending departure caps off a mostly successful second tenure with Real Madrid, having secured both the Champions League and the Spanish league titles last season. His first spell with the club from 2013-2015 also brought significant success, contributing to Madridโs prestigious trophy collection, including three Champions League victories, several national titles, and international club honors. In total, Ancelotti presided over 350 matches across his two stints with Madrid.
As Madrid prepares to face Mallorca, Ancelotti will have to contend with injuries affecting several key players. Rodrygo is a concern, having left a recent training session early due to illness after missing the previous Barcelona match. Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappรฉ, a significant player in Madridโs squad, is anticipated to participate. He spearheaded Madridโs scoring with a hat trick in their latest league fixture, striving to clinch the top scorer title in La Liga over Barcelonaโs Robert Lewandowski.
Madrid commenced the current season with a win in the UEFA Super Cup but has experienced challenges throughout the season. Discontent among fans has surfaced, with some criticizing Ancelottiโs managerial approach and the teamโs performance against their arch-rivals, Barcelona. Despite these critiques, Ancelotti remains focused on ending his Real Madrid journey positively before taking the helm of Brazilโs national team.