 "Carlo Ancelotti will leave Real Madrid before the end of ongoing season. Image: Reuters")
Carlo Ancelotti will not be Real Madrid’s manager after the 26 April Copa del Rey final against Barcelona, it has been reported in English media. Ancelotti, who has led Real Madrid to three Champions League titles, recently saw his team exit from the European top competition after a 5-1 aggregate loss to Arsenal in the quarter-finals.
Real Madrid failed to win a single match and scored just one goal over the two legs as they lost 3-0 at the Emirates and 2-1 at home (Santiago Bernabeu).
Ancelotti to leave Real after Copa del Rey final
If Ancelotti leaves Real after the Copa del Rey final, as reported by Sky News, then the club is set to have a new manager for the last five La Liga matches in May, including the El Clásico with Barcelona at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on 11 May.
Real Madrid are still in contention for the La Liga title, sitting second in the points table. They are four points behind leaders Barcelona, who are on 70 points from the same 31 matches.
Talking about the possibility of getting a sack at Real Madrid after the defeat to Arsenal, Ancelotti said he would not mind any action as he remains grateful to the club.
“It could be this year, next year when my contract runs out…There’s no problem about it. But when I am done here, I will be grateful to this club. It could be tomorrow, in one year, or in 10 years, but I will be grateful to this club. And that’s it. Full stop,” he said after the match.
Klopp linked with Real Madrid
Former Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso, who is currently at Bayer Leverkusen, is seen as Ancelotti’s possible replacement, but media reports in Europe are also littered with news that former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp can also be a surprise pick.
Brazilian news portal UOL Esporte has reported that Klopp is willing to have a conversation with Real Madrid to understand his role.
Meanwhile, Ancelotti has been linked with the Brazil national football team job after they recently sacked Dorival Junior.