Carlo Ancelotti’s second spell in charge of Real Madrid will come to an end at the close of the season, with the Italian set to become the new coach of Brazil.
Ancelotti’s contract at the Bernabeu runs until 2026, but according to The Athletic, a decision on his future has already been made.
Madrid were beaten 3-2 by arch-rivals Barcelona in Saturday’s Copa del Rey final and were knocked out of the Champions League by Arsenal earlier this month.
They currently sit four points behind Barcelona in the LaLiga standings with five games left, and those matches are expected to be Ancelotti’s final ones in charge.
Brazil have been pushing to appoint him as quickly as possible, and The Athletic reports that they will finalise the move after the league season ends, meaning Ancelotti will not lead Madrid at this summer’s Club World Cup.
Diego Fernandes, an intermediary for the Brazilian FA, was once again seen at Saturday’s final in Sevilla and is understood to have held talks with Ancelotti about succeeding Dorival Junior, who was dismissed after Brazil’s 4-1 loss to Argentina in World Cup qualifying last month.
Fernandes has spent much time in Spain over the past few months, trying to convince Ancelotti to take over Brazil ahead of their World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay in June, even if it means missing Madrid’s Club World Cup campaign.
Former Real Madrid star and current Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso is being tipped to replace the 65-year-old at the Bernabeu.
