Will Carlo Ancelotti Return To Club Football After Real Madrid?

Carlo Ancelotti doesn’t shy away when it comes to reinventing himself. The Italians have managed some of the biggest clubs in Europe, winning everything from league titles to Champions League trophies. As his second spell at Real Madrid is nearing its conclusion, the question in everyone’s mind is whether Ancelotti will return to club football, or is this truly the end of the road? 

For now, Ancelotti is Real Madrid’s most successful manager. It is highlighted that he has won the club three Champions League titles across two spells. The second spell proved more successful as he added two La Liga titles. However, the disappointments of this season have made Florentino Perez think about Ancelotti’s future.

End Of An Era At the Santiago Bernabéu

It’s official: Ancelotti and Real Madrid will part ways at the end of the 2024/25 season. While he had extended his contract through 2026, reports from Spain and Brazil confirm the club and manager have mutually agreed to end their partnership. In many ways, it’s the right time. 

Ancelotti leaves an incredible legacy at Madrid: 15 major trophies, including two Champions League titles and multiple La Liga wins. But the separation isn’t due to poor form or falling out; it is quite the opposite. Madrid wants to transition into a new era, and Ancelotti, ever the gentleman, seems at peace with that.

Brazil Beckons, But Is It a Sure Thing?

Initially, Ancelotti was widely expected to take charge of the Brazilian national team after leaving Madrid. The CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) had its sights set on him for over a year. For a while, it looked like a done deal. Reports suggested that Ancelotti would lead the Seleção into the 2026 World Cup, with a formal announcement expected before the summer qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay.

But in true Ancelotti fashion, there’s a twist. Last week, multiple outlets, including The Sun and TNT Sports, reported that the Italian had a change of heart. Despite earlier agreements, he told CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues that he wouldn’t take the job. The reason? A lucrative offer from a Saudi Arabian club may have entered the picture.

A Tempting Saudi Proposal

The Saudi Pro League is no longer just a retirement home for aging stars; it’s a growing force in global football. From Cristiano Ronaldo to Karim Benzema and now potentially Ancelotti, Saudi clubs flex their financial muscles like never before.

Sources suggest that Ancelotti has been offered a mega-deal by a Saudi side, which rivals his current Madrid salary and gives him complete control over football operations. At 65, it’s a tempting proposition. Less pressure than Europe’s elite leagues, a different kind of challenge, and a handsome payday. If he takes the job, it would mirror the growing trend among elite coaches swapping traditional powerhouses for ambitious, well-funded projects in emerging markets.

But Didn’t He Say Madrid Would Be His Last Club?

Yes, he did. In 2022, Ancelotti stated in an interview, “Real Madrid will be my last club.” It was a rare finality from a man who’s always played his cards close to his chest. At the time, he meant it. He talked about retiring on a high, spending more time with family, and perhaps writing a book.

But football has a way of pulling people back in. Just ask Sir Alex Ferguson or Zinedine Zidane. Ancelotti’s current situation reflects that classic tug-of-war between personal promises and professional temptation.

Real Madrid’s Next Steps

With Ancelotti stepping down, all eyes are on who will fill his rather large shoes at the Bernabéu. Xabi Alonso is widely considered the frontrunner. The former Madrid midfielder has just guided Bayer Leverkusen to their first-ever Bundesliga title and remains unbeaten domestically heading into the season’s final weeks.

Alonso is young, tactically sharp, and understands the Madrid DNA. Sources say that Florentino Pérez is keen to bring him back to lead from the dugout this time. In the meantime, club legend Santiago Solari is set to take charge for the FIFA Club World Cup in June, giving the board time to plan the transition smoothly.

What’s Next for Ancelotti?

Truthfully, even Ancelotti might not be sure. He’s said he won’t talk about his future until Real Madrid’s final league match on May 25. But here’s what we know so far. Brazil still wants him, even if things have cooled off. Saudi Arabia is in the mix with a potentially massive deal.

Retirement remains an option, though less likely now than a year ago. What’s clear is this: Carlo Ancelotti will leave Real Madrid on his own terms. Whether that leads to Brazil, Saudi Arabia, or a well-earned break from the game, the next chapter in his story will be entirely his to write.

Final Thoughts

Carlo Ancelotti has nothing left to prove for a man who’s spent four decades in football. Yet the beauty of his career has always been its unpredictability. Just when you think he’s done, he surprises you. That’s why the question of whether he will return to club football remains.