Carlo Ancelotti’s second stint as Real Madrid manager is drawing to a close, with fresh reports from The Athletic confirming that the Italian has reached an agreement to leave the club at the end of the season.
The 65-year-old, whose tenure at the Santiago Bernabéu has been marked by significant domestic and European success, is expected to step down following protracted negotiations over the financial terms of his early departure. The timing of his exit could come as soon as after Sunday’s highly anticipated El Clásico against Barcelona.
Sources suggest that the discussions centred primarily around compensation for the remaining year on Ancelotti’s contract, with both parties now understood to be satisfied with the terms.
While the decision may come as a surprise to some, it follows months of speculation linking Ancelotti with a move to manage the Brazilian national team — a role he has long been tipped to assume.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, are wasting no time in identifying potential successors. The Athletic reports that the club’s hierarchy are considering a trio of familiar names: Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso, Castilla coach and club legend Raúl González, and current under-19s boss Álvaro Arbeloa.
All three boast strong links to Los Blancos, and each represents a move towards a youthful, club-rooted managerial approach. Alonso, in particular, is enjoying a meteoric rise in Germany, having led Leverkusen to an outstanding campaign in the Bundesliga.
Ancelotti’s departure will bring to an end a glittering chapter in Madrid’s history, with the Italian overseeing La Liga triumphs, Champions League glory, and a seamless blend of experience and tactical acumen. His legacy at the club is assured, but attention now turns to who will lead Real into its next era.