According to reports, on May 25, Real Madrid will conclude one of its most illustrious periods in history. The achievements of Carlo Ancelotti will be etched not only in the club’s history but also in football’s golden records. Ancelotti’s accolades at Real Madrid include three UEFA Champions League titles, three Club World Cups, three UEFA Super Cups, two La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey trophies, and two Spanish Super Cups, with a potential La Liga title still up for grabs. These 15 titles surpass the legendary Miguel Muñoz. On May 25, Ancelotti will bid farewell, and Real Madrid will embark on a new era under Xabi Alonso. Ancelotti and Real Madrid have agreed to set aside all distractions to focus on securing the La Liga title, but prior discussions have taken place, and a grand farewell ceremony is planned for the Italian coach.

Agreement on Departure

The agreement was finalized after the Champions League knockout match against Arsenal, when Ancelotti and Real Madrid’s management discussed and concluded that parting ways was the best option for both sides. Until then, Real Madrid’s executives had only explored the coaching market, with Xabi Alonso playing a key role in many of these plans. Ancelotti knew the Brazilian national team awaited him and accelerated his contacts from that moment. These discussions will soon lead to a contract signing to coach the five-time world champions until the 2026 World Cup.

Alonso’s Deep Familiarity with Real Madrid

Xabi Alonso, who according to Marca will sign a three-year contract, has a thorough understanding of the current Real Madrid squad. He left Real Sociedad in 2019 to take the next step in his professional coaching career, joining Real Madrid’s reserve team for three seasons. In 2022, he moved to Bayer Leverkusen, where he made history by winning the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double in 2024, ending Bayern Munich’s 11-year dominance.

Alonso’s Coaching Staff

Sebas Paría has been Alonso’s assistant since his time at Real Sociedad. After a stint in Mexico, he was introduced by Real Madrid as Alonso’s assistant during his tenure with the youth team, forming an ideal partnership. Additionally, Alberto Encinas, Alonso’s trusted fitness coach, will join. Encinas, who worked with Barcelona in the 2011-2012 season, has also been active in the USA and Denmark.

Question About Pintus

The current question is what will happen to Antonio Pintus, the fitness coach during Ancelotti’s tenure. He is a club employee, not just part of Ancelotti’s staff. With the arrival of a new fitness coach, the physical data and atmosphere this season have not been ideal. Luis Llopis, the goalkeeping coach who worked closely with Ancelotti, will continue with the new staff. Llopis was also present during Alonso’s time with Real Madrid’s second team.

Transfer Strategy

In discussions, Alonso agreed that transfers would remain under the club’s control. He can provide input, but the final decision lies with the club, following a strategy that has yielded brilliant results in recent years. A major squad overhaul is deemed unnecessary, both due to impracticality and trust in the current squad’s quality. The goal is to elevate performances of stars like Vinícius, Mbappé, and Bellingham, whose futures at Real Madrid are secure. With Trent Alexander-Arnold’s signing and moves for a left-back, future negotiations will focus on a central defender (with Denzel Dumfries as the primary target) and a midfielder to meet the coach’s requirements.

Club World Cup and Planning

Real Madrid wants the Club World Cup to be more than just another tournament, making the interim coach selection challenging. However, it was agreed that Ancelotti would take charge of Brazil in June, as continuing without a contract extension was untenable. The solution is Santiago Solari acting as a bridge until Alonso’s arrival, ensuring players not continuing post-tournament remain unaffected. The tight schedule between the Club World Cup and the next season’s start in late July poses difficulties, likely leading to a complex season ahead.

Agreement with Leverkusen

The amicable agreement mentioned by Leverkusen president Fernando Caro to terminate Alonso’s remaining year means the German club will receive compensation. Excellent relations between the clubs, as seen in the transfers of Iker Bravo and young talent Melvin Okpiegbe, will facilitate the process.