Carlo Ancelotti To Depart Real Madrid After Copa Del Rey Final.
In a stunning development, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is set to leave the club immediately following the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on 26 April 2025, according to Sky Sports. The Italian tactician, widely regarded as one of football’s greatest managers, will not see out the remainder of the La Liga season, marking an abrupt end to his second stint with the Spanish giants.
Ancelotti, 65, has been under increasing scrutiny following Real Madrid’s disappointing 5-1 aggregate defeat to Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. The loss, which included a 2-1 defeat at the Santiago Bernabéu, exposed vulnerabilities in a side expected to dominate European football with the arrival of Kylian Mbappé. Currently trailing La Liga leaders Barcelona by four points with seven games remaining, the pressure has mounted on Ancelotti to deliver silverware.
Sky Sports reports that Ancelotti will take charge of Real Madrid for the Copa del Rey final in Seville, a high-stakes clash against arch-rivals Barcelona, before parting ways with the club. His departure means he will not manage the team in the upcoming El Clásico on 11 May or for the remainder of the La Liga campaign. The decision leaves Real Madrid facing a critical juncture, with the Club World Cup also looming this summer.
Ancelotti’s second spell at Real Madrid, which began in 2021, has been nothing short of remarkable. He has secured 11 trophies, including two La Liga titles, two Champions League crowns, and a Club World Cup. His record of five Champions League titles as a manager—three with Madrid—remains unmatched. However, recent struggles, including a string of Champions League losses this season to Lille, AC Milan, and Liverpool, have cast a shadow over his tenure.
Speculation over Ancelotti’s future has been rife, with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) long linked with the Italian as their preferred candidate to lead the national team into the 2026 World Cup. Sources suggest that Brazilian businessman Diego Fernandes is working to broker a deal between Ancelotti and the CBF, though time is reportedly running out to finalise an appointment before Brazil’s World Cup qualifiers in June. Al Hilal’s Jorge Jesus is also said to be in the frame for the Brazil job.
Reflecting on his future after the Arsenal defeat, Ancelotti remained philosophical, stating, “Maybe the club decides to replace me… I will be grateful to this club. That could be tomorrow, 10 days, one month, or in one year.” His gratitude to Real Madrid has been a recurring theme, with the manager acknowledging the immense pressure of managing one of the world’s biggest clubs.
As Real Madrid prepare for life after Ancelotti, attention has turned to potential replacements. Former Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso, currently at Bayer Leverkusen, is a leading candidate, though his contract with the Bundesliga side complicates matters. Jürgen Klopp, recently departed from Liverpool, has also emerged as a surprise contender, with reports suggesting he is open to discussions with the club.
Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon expressed hope that Ancelotti might stay, telling Sky Sports, “This bench is very difficult for any coach. It is an obligation to win, which is not possible all the time.” However, with Ancelotti’s exit now imminent, the club faces a pivotal moment in its storied history.
Real Madrid’s next matches include a La Liga clash against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday and a trip to Getafe, before the Copa del Rey final that could serve as Ancelotti’s swansong. Fans will be hoping the legendary manager can bow out with another trophy, adding to his glittering legacy at the Bernabéu.
Source: Sky Sports
