There are few certainties at Real Madrid, which is facing an uncertain end to the season and a future filled with more questions than answers. The only thing that seems clear and decided is Carlo Ancelotti’s departure from the club this summer. Florentino has made his decision and wants Xabi Alonso on the bench at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Ancelotti’s departure has been in the works for the last few months due to the team’s poor performance, which saw them lose the Cup final and get knocked out in the quarterfinals of their favorite competition, the Champions League. Several players have been singled out, but the criticism is focused on the team’s most successful coach due to his decision-making and lack of ability to react.
Many seek to exonerate the Italian coach due to the plague of injuries suffered by the team, especially in a defense that was not renewed in the winter transfer window. However, the injuries could have been caused by the Italian coach’s failure to distribute playing time evenly, as he has not given many opportunities to new players, instead loading up players such as Rüdiger, who have now undergone surgery.
Departure to Brazil on hold
With his departure from Real Madrid on track, Ancelotti seemed to be heading for Brazil. Just a few hours ago, there was talk of a deal being done with the Brazilian national team, but everything seems to have taken a 180-degree turn. Until yesterday, there was an agreement, pending signature, that the coach would be in charge of the national team in June for the World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Ecuador (June 3) and Paraguay (June 8).
There was talk of a salary of €10 million for a coach who has been linked with the Brazil job for several years and now looks set to be left empty-handed once again. The Italian coach was just a signature away from becoming the new coach of the Brazilian Football Confederation, and he was on the verge of signing on his trip to London, with the contracts already drawn up.
According to published reports, the contract was broken when the Italian coach confessed that Real Madrid would not let him leave in June before the Club World Cup. If they did, they would have to pay the amount requested by Ancelotti as severance pay. It should be remembered that ‘Carletto‘ has a contract for one more season.
In addition, Ancelotti may have had second thoughts when a new and substantial offer appeared on the horizon. In fact, the CBF is already looking at Jorge Jesus because it knows that the Italian has a firm offer from Saudi Arabia that could have been key in his decision to accept it.
A million-dollar offer from Saudi Arabia
Everything seems to indicate that behind the Italian coach’s change of heart is a million-dollar offer from Saudi Arabia. There is talk of around $50 million net per season, something that seems impossible to turn down. An offer that would come from Al-Hilal, according to sources close to the operation. Although Real Madrid, with Florentino Pérez visibly angry, will have the final say on the date and conditions of the Italian’s departure, who once again has his future up in the air after snubbing Brazil once again.