Under contract with Real Madrid until 2026, Carlo Ancelotti is unlikely to remain at the helm of the team next season. According to the latest reports from Spain, the 65-year-old coach has decided to bring his Madrid adventure to an end at the close of the season. Why this decision?
Real Madrid is currently in a crucial phase of the 2024-2025 season. As the current La Liga leaders, with a two-point advantage over Atlético Madrid and seven over FC Barcelona, the Madrid side is aiming to continue its strong performance in the league to retain the title won last season. In the Champions League and other competitions, resilience and solidarity will be essential to replicate last year’s achievements.
Following their 4-1 victory over Las Palmas on Sunday during La Liga’s 20th round, Carlo Ancelotti expressed his frustration at the harsh criticism he continues to face despite the team’s ongoing chances of winning trophies. A day after this press conference, Onda Cero revealed that the 65-year-old coach no longer wishes to continue leading the team beyond the current season. While speculation about his potential successor has already begun, the Real de Madrid editorial team outlines the three key reasons that could explain Ancelotti’s possible departure before his contract ends.
Mental fatigue of the Madrid coach
Since 2018, when he took charge of Napoli before returning to Real Madrid in 2021, Carlo Ancelotti has not taken a break. After seven consecutive seasons, the 65-year-old coach appears to have exhausted his options, especially after winning several major trophies. Unlike other managers who hold on to their posts for the constant challenge of achieving new titles to fill gaps in their trophy cabinet, the former AC Milan player has aimed to keep the team at the top.
Having achieved everything and etched his name in the club’s history as the most decorated coach, Ancelotti may now feel drained and uninspired to continue rallying a largely revamped squad, composed mainly of young players, which brings new challenges.
The complexity of the new locker room
After a first stint from 2013 to 2015, Carlo Ancelotti returned to take charge of Real Madrid in 2021. Upon his return, the team comprised experienced players focused on collective goals. However, with the departures of Benzema, Toni Kroos, Nacho, Casemiro, Raphael Varane, and Sergio Ramos, Real’s squad has become much younger. Now, with players like Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappé, and Jude Bellingham, the objectives have diversified. These young, globally renowned players, driven by the pursuit of individual trophies, present challenges in maintaining team balance.
Managing different egos makes it increasingly difficult to make decisions that avoid tensions in the dressing room. After several years with the club and the mental strain it entails, Carlo Ancelotti may be reaching his limits.
Criticism and constant pressure over his decisions
Ancelotti is regarded as one of the calmest managers in football. Protective of his squad, he prefers to take criticism when his team underperforms or when a player is out of form. In recent months, however, the Italian coach has been frequently criticised for his squad selections and for poor results in key matches. Despite the team’s defensive shortcomings—not entirely his fault, as he requested reinforcements that Florentino Pérez did not provide—Ancelotti has struggled to secure favourable outcomes in high-stakes games this season.
Given the tense environment, which is unlikely to improve due to the defensive limitations of his squad, the coach might feel frustrated and choose to leave on his own terms rather than risk dismissal. As he mentioned during the press conference after the 4-1 win against Las Palmas at the Santiago Bernabéu, the criticism directed at Real Madrid is excessive, considering the club remains well-positioned to win La Liga and is still alive in the Champions League, Copa del Rey, and other competitions.
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