Carlo Ancelotti was rumoured to be on the radar of Brazil, where he is expected to join at the end of the season, but he will not be leaving Real Madrid. This Friday, the Merengue club officially announced the extension of its coach’s contract.
It’s an announcement that should no doubt please Madrid fans. After several months of rumours surrounding the future of Carlo Ancelotti, whose contract with Real Madrid expires in June, the news that puts an end to the speculation has come. After fruitful discussions with Florentino Perez’s staff, who are satisfied with the former Bayern Munich coach’s management, an official two-year extension has been agreed. The Madrid club confirmed the news on its website.
“Real Madrid CF and Carlo Ancelotti have agreed to extend our coach’s contract until 30 June 2026. During his five seasons as Real Madrid coach, he won 10 titles: 2 Champions League, 2 Club World Cups, 2 European Super Cups, 1 League, 2 King’s Cups and 1 Spanish Super Cup. Carlo Ancelotti is the only coach to have won 4 European Cups and the one with the most victories in the history of this competition (118), and he is also the first coach to win all five major European leagues (Italy, England, France, Germany and Spain)”, reads the Real Madrid press release.
Now 64, Ancelotti is set to celebrate his 67th anniversary at the helm of Real Madrid. In fabulous form with his team, the Italian coach has been particularly successful in his second spell at the helm of the White House, despite suffering a number of serious injuries recently. Returning to the job in the summer of 2021, he has impressed with another Champions League success (2022), a La Liga title (2022) and a Copa del Rey (2023), not to mention two more European Supercup and Club World Cup titles.
Ancelotti’s management appreciated by Perez
The news that the former AS Roma (1979-1987, 227 games for 17 goals) and AC Milan (1987-1992, 160 games for 11 goals) midfielder has extended his tenure at the helm of the Spanish capital’s biggest club puts paid to the rumoured arrivals of Xabi Alonso and Zinedine Zidane, who has been without a club since leaving in 2021. Sometimes criticised for his choice of men, which seems to be the cause of some of Real Madrid’s disappointments, Ancelotti has nonetheless done a phenomenal job.
With a very young squad brimming with talent, he never lacks ingenuity when it comes to integrating academy players into the senior team. According to the Spanish press, Florentino Perez is keen to make the most of the young talents he has nurtured at the club. While awaiting the return from injury of players like Arda Guler and others like Eduardo Camavinga, we have been able to appreciate the talents of 19-year-old Nico Paz (8 games and 1 goal) and Gonzalo Garcia (19, who has played 2 games this season).
Real’s title chances this season
Real Madrid can rub their hands and look forward to the second half of the current season with peace of mind, with the possibility of titles in all competitions. Leading La Liga with Girona, Madrid are in with a chance of continuing their good season with their star recruit, Jude Bellingham (top scorer in the league). In addition to La Liga, Los Merengues can already lay their hands on the Spanish Supercup at the start of the year, with a semi-final against Atletico Madrid in Saudi Arabia. If they win, the final will be against either Osasuna or Barcelona.
The Champions League, which has also reached the last 16, remains within Real Madrid’s grasp, as they take on German side RB Leipzig, who are still very much within their grasp despite their quality players. With most of their players back from injury, especially in attack, anything is still possible for Madrid, especially if there are no more disasters like in the first half of the season.
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