Carlo Ancelotti to Exit Real Madrid After Champions League Blow

Carlo Ancelotti will step down as Real Madrid manager after the Copa del Rey final on April 26, following the club’s Champions League quarter-final elimination by Arsenal.

The Italian coach hinted at his possible departure after Real Madrid suffered a crushing 5-1 aggregate defeat to the Premier League side, losing 2-1 at home on Wednesday night.

“It could be this year, next year when my contract runs out. There’s no problem about it,” Ancelotti said post-match. “When I am done here, I will be grateful to this club—tomorrow, in one year, or in ten. That’s it. Full stop.”

Despite a successful spell in recent years, Ancelotti admitted that this season has been difficult: “We have done very well in the last seasons, but this year we have had to suffer. Things haven’t gone as expected. In sport, that happens—there are no unbeatable teams.”

According to a report by Sky Sports, the 64-year-old will bow out after Real Madrid’s final showdown against rivals Barcelona in Seville. The La Liga title race also remains alive, with Barca currently holding a four-point lead over Madrid.

Before the final, Los Blancos will face Athletic Bilbao at home this Sunday and then travel to Getafe on Wednesday.

Ancelotti, whose managerial résumé includes Juventus, AC Milan, Chelsea, PSG, Bayern Munich, Napoli, and Everton, is now being targeted by the Brazilian national team, with talks expected to intensify in the coming weeks.