Carlo Ancelotti to LEAVE Real Madrid following Arsenal defeat

Cameron Smith

Updated: 17 Apr 2025 12:47 BST
3 min read

Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly expected to leave Real Madrid after the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on 26 April.

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Los Blancos were knocked out of the Champions League by Arsenal on Wednesday night, following a 5-1 aggregate defeat to Mikel Arteta’s side, and Ancelotti is now set to depart the Santiago Bernabeu before the end of the campaign.

That is according to Sky Sports News, who report that Ancelotti will remain in charge for Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey final next weekend, although he is “expected” to leave the club after the game.

Los Blancos will therefore need to find an interim boss to take charge of their final five La Liga fixtures of the campaign as they look to become the first club to retain the Spanish top flight title since Barcelona in 2019.

The Brazil national team have been heavily linked with Ancelotti over the past year and they could reportedly appoint him as their new head coach before the end of the Spanish domestic season.

© IMAGO - Carlo Ancelotti is set to leave Real Madrid

Carlo Ancelotti to leave Real Madrid?

Following his side’s disappointing Champions League exit to Arsenal in midweek, Ancelotti admitted that he could be set to leave Real Madrid very soon.

“It could be this year, next year when my contract runs out...There's no problem about it,” Ancelotti told reporters on Wednesday night. “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.

“We have done very well in the last seasons but this year we have had to suffer. Things haven't gone as expected but it happens in sport because there are no unbeatable teams.”

Ancelotti has won 15 trophies across two spells at Real Madrid, including the Champions League and La Liga double last season.

Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso has been tipped to replace the Italian at the Santiago Bernabeu and Real Madrid may now intensify their pursuit of the former Los Blancos midfielder ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.