Carlo Ancelotti set to become best-paid national team head coach as Real Madrid exit nears
Carlo Ancelotti is poised to leave Real Madrid and become the head coach of the Brazil national team, making him the highest-paid national team coach globally. Despite being contracted with Madrid until 2026, Ancelotti has indicated his intention to depart in June, coinciding with a tumultuous season that saw the team exit the Champions League and suffer a Copa del Rey defeat. The Brazilian Football Confederation is reportedly offering Ancelotti a salary of $900,000 per month, matching his current earnings at Real Madrid. Brazil, struggling in World Cup qualifiers, is banking on Ancelotti's expertise and aims to finalize the deal before mid-May to allow him to prepare for upcoming matches. Real Madrid is considering Santiago Solari and Xabi Alonso as potential successors, with Alonso emerging as a favorite due to his successful tenure at Bayer Leverkusen.
Carlo Ancelotti is set to leave Real Madrid this summer to take over as the head coach of the Brazil national team, a position that will make him the world's highest-paid national team coach.
Ancelotti, who is under contract with Real Madrid until 2026, has communicated his intention to leave in June, following a challenging season that included a Champions League exit and a Copa del Rey loss.
The Brazilian Football Confederation is offering Ancelotti a monthly salary of $900,000, which aligns with his current earnings at Real Madrid, and exceeds the salaries of prominent national coaches like Didier Deschamps and Thomas Tuchel.
The Brazilian team, facing difficulties in World Cup qualifiers, hopes to secure Ancelotti's leadership before May 18, allowing him to prepare the squad for the June qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay.
If finalized, Ancelotti would become only the third foreign coach in Brazil's history and the first in nearly 60 years, highlighting the country's bold move to revitalize its football prowess.
Real Madrid is preparing for Ancelotti's departure by considering Santiago Solari as an interim coach for the FIFA Club World Cup, while Xabi Alonso, successful with Bayer Leverkusen, is a leading candidate for the permanent position.
Ancelotti leaves behind a remarkable legacy at Real Madrid, having led the team to multiple La Liga and Champions League victories, and his transition to Brazil marks a significant and costly chapter in his career.
- Carlo Ancelotti’s long dance with Brazil now looks set to end with a big samba finish.
The Real Madrid boss is expected to step down this summer and take charge of the Brazil national team, a move that would also see him become the highest-paid national team coach in world football.
The veteran Italian, who is under contract with Madrid until 2026, has reportedly told the club he intends to leave in June.
🚨🇧🇷 Carlo Ancelotti will be among the best paid national team head coaches with deal valid from June 2025.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 28, 2025
The staff is being discussed with Brazil Federation. pic.twitter.com/p0dsmPSPvx
After a rollercoaster campaign, which included a Champions League exit and a Copa del Rey heartbreak, the timing seems right for both parties to part ways.
Brazil, who’ve struggled to find their rhythm in World Cup qualifiers, are putting their faith in Ancelotti. And they’re not shy about paying top dollar for it.
Reports (via Estadao and Marcel Rizzo) suggest the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) is offering Ancelotti a salary close to $900,000 per month — a figure that matches his Real Madrid paycheck. If he signs, he’ll earn more than France’s Didier Deschamps and England's Thomas Tuchel.
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Expected date for Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid departure
The CBF wants the deal wrapped before May 18 — just in time to name the squad for June’s qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay.
While the contract is expected to run through the 2026 World Cup, Brazil fans are hoping Ancelotti’s impact is felt much sooner.
If all goes to plan, Ancelotti would be just the third foreign coach in Brazil’s rich football history — and the first in almost 60 years. Talk about a bold move from the five-time world champions.
Who will lead Real Madrid in FIFA Club World Cup?
Real Madrid has a Plan B. Santiago Solari is expected to guide the team at the FIFA Club World Cup this summer.
The club also has its eyes on Xabi Alonso, who’s had a stellar run with Bayer Leverkusen and is considered the favorite to take the Madrid hot seat full-time.
Ancelotti, who has guided Madrid to multiple La Liga and Champions League titles, leaves a legacy few can match.
But as he prepares to swap the Bernabeu for the Maracana, the next chapter in his legendary career looks both historic and expensive.