Alonso next? 

Carlo Ancelotti signs Brazil contract with Real Madrid tenure to end

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Carlo Ancelotti has signed his contract to become the next Brazil head coach with Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirming the appointment on Monday afternoon. The Italian is the most decorated manager in Real Madrid’s history but he has endured a difficult last season in the Spanish capital and they will move in a new direction this summer. Ancelotti and Madrid will part ways amicably and it’s been widely reported that the 65-year-old has reached an agreement to lead Brazil into the 2026 World Cup.

On Ancelotti’s appointment, CBF’s president Ednaldo Rodrigues said: “Bringing Carlo Ancelotti to lead Brazil is more than a strategic move. It’s a statement to the world that we are determined to regain the top spot on the podium. He is the greatest coach in history and is now in charge of the greatest team on the planet. Together, we will write new glorious chapters in Brazilian football.”

Ancelotti will leave Madrid at the end of the LaLiga season before the Club World Cup, which begins on June 14th with his contract beginning on May 26th. Xabi Alonso is expected to lead Madrid into the Club World Cup with the Bayer Leverkusen boss announcing his decision to leave the Bundesliga side last week. Alonso previously played 236 games for Madrid before hanging up his boots and he has been entrusted with taking Madrid into a new era. 

Carlo Ancelotti: Real Madrid’s most successful manager

To date, Ancelotti has managed Madrid in 348 games across two spells at the Santiago Bernabeu. Ancelotti managed the Spanish giants between July 2012 and June 2015, leading Madrid to their famed 10th European Cup win, when they claimed ‘La Decima’ in 2014. Amazingly Ancelotti has won the European Cup in five different decades as a player and manager.

The Italian has also won the Champions League more than any other manager with five titles to his name. Moreover, Ancelotti became Madrid’s most successful ever manager in terms of trophies when he led them to glory in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup in December. It was his 15th trophy across his two spells in Madrid, eclipsing the previous record of legendary boss Miguel Munoz. Ancelotti’s final season has been disappointing with Barcelona dominating with two wins over Madrid in cup finals as they close in on LaLiga and they were knocked out the Champions League emphatically to Arsenal.