Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti will step down at the end of the current season to take charge of the Brazil national team, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed on Monday.
In an official statement, the CBF praised the 65-year-old Italian’s decorated managerial career, saying: “The greatest national team in the history of football will now be led by the most successful coach in the world.”
Ancelotti is expected to begin his role immediately after the conclusion of the European season and will lead Brazil through the remainder of their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, including critical upcoming matches against Ecuador and Paraguay.
His appointment follows Brazil’s 4-1 defeat to Argentina in March, which led to the sacking of Dorival Junior. Brazil currently sit fourth in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying table, and the federation is turning to Ancelotti’s experience and tactical expertise to stabilize the team ahead of the next tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Okay.ng reports that Ancelotti’s successor at Real Madrid has also been confirmed, with Xabi Alonso, currently in charge of Bayer Leverkusen, set to return to his former club as head coach. Alonso recently led Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga season and had earlier announced his exit from the German side.
Ancelotti’s departure will close a storied chapter at Santiago Bernabéu, where he became one of Real Madrid’s most successful managers. Across two spells, he won 15 trophies, including three UEFA Champions League titles (2014, 2022, and 2024), two La Liga championships, and numerous domestic and international titles.
His 2014 triumph, known as La Decima, marked Madrid’s 10th European crown, while his return in 2021 after Zinedine Zidane’s resignation delivered more silverware, including another Champions League win in 2022, and a repeat in 2024.
Ancelotti also holds the distinction of being the most decorated manager in UEFA Champions League history, with five titles, two with AC Milan (2003, 2007) and three with Real Madrid.
Beyond Spain, he has coached at elite clubs including Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, and Napoli, building a reputation for man-management and tactical flexibility.
