Real Madrid are sticking with successful coach Carlo Ancelotti beyond the summer of 2024. The Whites announced on Friday afternoon that the Italian’s contract has been extended ahead of schedule by a further two years until 2026
A wide variety of names have been circulating in the Spanish capital in recent weeks and months. Who could succeed Carlo Ancelotti as Real coach? The name Xabi Alonso has persisted around the royal family. And his path back to Real is practically mapped out. Ancelotti, on the other hand, was set to become the first foreign coach of the Brazilian national team. On July 5, 2023, Ednaldo Rodrigues, president of the Brazilian soccer association CBF, even confirmed this to the Brazilian broadcaster “TV Globo”.
All the more surprising is what Real Madrid announced this Friday afternoon: Ancelotti, who had at least hinted at this himself in a recent interview, has extended his contract, which expires in the summer of 2024, ahead of schedule until June 30, 2026.
This is set to continue a success story. In his five seasons as coach of the Whites, he has won ten titles: the Champions League twice, the Club World Cup twice, the UEFA Super Cup twice, the Spanish championship once, the Copa del Rey twice and the Supercopa once.
In the current season, Ancelotti and Real have breezed through their Champions League Group C, picking up the full 18 points in matches against Union Berlin, Italian champions Napoli and Sporting Braga. In La Liga, Real are top of the table this winter and even successfully fended off an attack from surprise team Girona, who are currently level on points. City rivals Atletico and Barcelona are already seven points behind in the domestic league.
It is also remarkable how Ancelotti has kept Real on course since the start of the season despite major injury worries. In addition, the 64-year-old has managed to continuously integrate hopefuls of the future into the team without losing deserving players such as Toni Kroos or Luka Modric along the way.
