Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez has expressed his desire to keep coach Carlo Ancelotti, despite Brazil’s expressed interest in hiring the veteran Italian coach to replace Tite. Brazil has been without a manager since the end of the World Cup and the Brazilian soccer federation hinted it is willing to wait until the end of the European season to hire its next coach. Ancelotti’s current contract with Madrid lasts until the end of next season. He thanked Brazil for its interest but has said he wants to stay with Madrid for as long as the club wants to keep him.
Pérez, who had previously not spoken publicly about Ancelotti’s possible departure, came in for some criticism when he hired him to replace Zinedine Zidane in 2021. At the time, Ancelotti was coming off stints with Napoli and Everton and many said he was past his prime. The doubts were quickly gone, though, with Ancelotti leading the club to trophies in the Copa, Champions League, Spanish league, Club World Cup, Spanish Super Cup, and UEFA Super Cup. He is the first coach to help Madrid win all significant trophies possible in a two-season span.
In Ancelotti’s two stints with Real Madrid, the club has won 10 trophies. He now has a chance to draw even with Zidane if he helps Madrid win a second-consecutive Champions League title later this season. The first leg of the semi-finals against Manchester City is on Tuesday at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Winning the Spanish league for two years is virtually out of the question, as Madrid trails leader Barcelona by 14 points with five matches remaining. The Copa title was Pérez’s 32nd trophy with Madrid, tying him with former president Santiago Bernabéu.
