Carlo Ancelotti, announced on Friday that he has no intention of coaching another club after he departs from the Spanish giants, concluding a highly successful second spell of four years.

 The 65-year-old Italian, who has also managed Bayern Munich, AC Milan, and Chelsea, is set to become the new coach of Brazil following the end of this season.

When asked whether he might return to Real Madrid after coaching Brazil, Ancelotti told reporters, “These are things I don’t know. I don’t feel like coaching another club after Madrid. That’s what I’ve said and I maintain. In the future… I don’t know. But the most immediate thing is to do well with Brazil.”

He expressed enthusiasm about his new challenge, saying, “I’m very excited to have the opportunity not to betray Madrid by coaching any other club and to lead the national team with the most history, the five-time World Cup champions. It’s a great challenge, and I love the idea of preparing Brazil for a World Cup.”

Ancelotti’s honours with Real Madrid include three Champions League titles, two LaLiga trophies, two Spanish Cups, two Spanish Super Cups, two Club World Cups, three UEFA Super Cups, and one Intercontinental Cup. Despite this success, Real are poised to finish the current season without any silverware.

Reports have named former Real midfielder Xabi Alonso as a potential successor. Alonso is set to leave German side Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season. When asked if he had any advice for Alonso, Ancelotti said, “Everyone has their own methodology, but let him enjoy Madrid. Xabi Alonso will be the first and I wish him all the luck in the world. He has the quality to coach Madrid. Let him enjoy it.”

Real Madrid, currently second in LaLiga, will host 11th-placed Real Sociedad on Saturday for their final game of the season. The match will also be the last at the Santiago Bernabeu for Croatian midfielder Luka Modric. The 39-year-old, the club’s most decorated player and the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner, will leave after the Club World Cup.

Reflecting on Modric’s farewell, Ancelotti said, “I get emotional very quickly. It’s going to be an emotional day. If I start crying, there’s no problem. It will be nice and I share it with Modric, who has been a spectacular support at Madrid. Someone fantastic, a legend. Saying goodbye with him will be nice.”

Faridah Abdulkadiri

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