- Carlo Ancelotti will take over as Brazil’s head coach on May 26, 2025, after leaving Real Madrid
- He departs as one of Real Madrid’s most successful managers, with 15 trophies across two spells
- Brazil's Football Confederation calls the appointment a “historic union” of two football icons
Carlo Ancelotti will step down as manager of Real Madrid at the end of the season to take over as head coach of Brazil’s national team.
The 65-year-old Italian will officially assume the role on May 26, following the conclusion of the La Liga campaign. Ancelotti departs the Santiago Bernabéu as one of the most successful managers in the club’s history, having secured 15 trophies over two tenures—including last season’s Champions League and La Liga titles.
His departure comes in the wake of a disappointing El Clasico defeat that left Real Madrid seven points adrift of leaders Barcelona with only three matches remaining. Unless Barcelona collapse spectacularly, Real are set to end the season trophyless for the first time in four years.
In a statement, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) hailed Ancelotti as a “legend of the game” and highlighted the historic nature of appointing a foreign coach to lead the five-time World Cup champions.
“This is a landmark moment, uniting two icons—Brazil, the most successful World Cup nation, and Ancelotti, one of the most decorated managers in European football,” the CBF said. They also thanked Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez for facilitating Ancelotti’s early release and acknowledged businessman Diego Fernandes for his role in finalizing the deal.
Ancelotti’s current Real Madrid contract was due to run until June 2026. He replaces Dorival Junior, who was dismissed in March after Brazil’s 4-1 World Cup qualifying defeat to Argentina.
Brazil currently sits fourth in the South American qualifiers, having lost five out of 14 matches, but still remain in a strong position to reach the 2026 World Cup.
Ancelotti’s first matches as Brazil manager will be against Paraguay and Ecuador in World Cup qualifiers next month. Brazil last lifted the World Cup in 2002 and their most recent Copa America title came in 2019.
With over 30 years of managerial experience, Ancelotti has coached top European clubs including Juventus, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea. He is the only manager to have won league titles in Italy, Spain, France, Germany, and England.
Former Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso, currently managing Bayer Leverkusen, is expected to take over at the Bernabéu. Alonso confirmed last Friday that he would leave Leverkusen at the end of the season, and Real Madrid reportedly hopes to appoint him before the Club World Cup begins next month.
