By Samuel Akpan with additional agency report
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has bid farewell to the club just 24 hours after the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) officially announced him as the new manager of the Brazil national team, effective June 26.
Ancelotti, the first manager in Champions League history to win the competition five times, reflected on his time at Real Madrid at a press conference on Tuesday.
“Football, like life, is an adventure that begins and ends. I always had in mind that one day it will come to an end. A very nice period is coming to an end. I’ve had a great time,” Ancelotti said.
He expressed his gratitude to the club and its fans, stating, “I want to end it well. On the 26th, I will talk about another challenge. I never had a problem with the club and I never will. It is a club that I have in my heart and I will have it too when this adventure is over.”
Ancelotti noted his focus on the remaining days at Real Madrid, saying, “I know they will be interested in what I will do. But I have to think about the days I have left here. For the respect I have for this club and this fan base, I am focused on this last stretch of this spectacular adventure.”
He added, “My feeling is that, from the 26th, I will be Brazil’s coach. It’s an important challenge, but I’m still coach of Madrid. I want to finish this fantastic adventure well.”
Ancelotti dismissed speculation about his exit, saying, “No frustration at all. The day I arrived, if you told me I was going to win 11 titles in four years, I would sign it in blood.”
He also shared his thoughts on Xabi Alonso’s coaching future, noting, “I’m very fond of him. I don’t have any advice, because he has all the tools to be a great coach in the future”.
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