Carlo Ancelotti makes history as he agrees new job ahead of Real Madrid exit

Carlo Ancelotti will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season to become head coach of the Brazil national team – making history in the process.

The Italian, regarded as one of the greatest football managers of all-time, will become Brazil’s first foreign coach when he begins work on May 26.

Ancelotti has long been courted by the South American giants and following lengthy but friendly talks between all parties, Real agreed to end his contract with them a year early.

It was initially not clear whether the 65-year-old would depart Madrid at the end of the regular season or stick around for this summer’s revamped Club World Cup competition.

But is has now been confirmed that Ancelotti has just three games left with Los Blancos, the final being at the Santiago Bernabeu against Real Sociedad on May 25.

‘The CBF extends its sincere gratitude to Real Madrid and Mr [Florentino] Perez for the cordiality and sportsmanship shown in facilitating the coach’s release during his contract term, allowing this new chapter to begin with mutual respect and cooperation between the teams,’ a statement from the Brazil football federation read.

‘The Confederation would also like to extend its thanks to Diego Fernandes who facilitated and led negotiations with Mr Ancelotti and Real Madrid on behalf of the CBF.

‘The CBF warmly welcomes Mr Ancelotti and looks forward to a new era of success under his leadership.’

It very likely means that in his final season at Real, Ancelotti was unable to win a major trophy, after getting knocked out of the Champions League by Arsenal and losing the Copa del Rey final to arch-rivals Barcelona.

Real can technically still win La Liga but following Sunday’s thrilling 4-3 defeat in El Clasico, Barcelona lead the title race by seven points and need only win one more game to seal victory.

Ancelotti, who previously managed Chelsea and Everton in the Premier League, is the most successful manager in Champions League history withfive titles, three with Real and two with AC Milan.

It is expected that he will be replaced by former Real and Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, who announced last week that he would be leaving Bayer Leverkusen.

Ancelotti replaces Dorival Junior, who was sacked in March, and joins the Seleção part way through their qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup.

His first match in charge of Brazil, who are captained by Manchester United star Casemiro, will be away to Ecuador on June 6.

One of the most successful national teams ever, Brazil have endured a rough few years, last reaching a World Cup final in 2002 and winning just one of the last six Copa Americas.

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