Carlo Ancelotti to leave Real Madrid after Copa del Rey final

Carlo Ancelotti will step down as Real Madrid manager after the Copa del Rey final on April 26, following the club’s elimination from the UEFA Champions League at the hands of Arsenal.

The reigning European champions were knocked out at the quarter-final stage after a 2-1 defeat to the Gunners on Wednesday night.

In the aftermath of the loss, Ancelotti cast doubt on his future by hinting that his time at the Santiago Bernabéu may be coming to an end.

When asked if he could leave, Ancelotti said: “It could be this year, next year when my contract runs out. There’s no problem about it.

“But when I am done here, I will be grateful to this club. It could be tomorrow, in one year, or in 10 years, but I will be grateful to this club. And that’s it. Full stop.

“We have done very well in the last seasons but this year we have had to suffer. Things haven’t gone as expected but in sport in happen because there are no unbeatable teams.”

Sky Sports reports that Carlo Ancelotti is set to step down as Real Madrid’s manager following next Sunday’s Copa del Rey final against Barcelona.

The two sides, long-time rivals, will face off in Seville, with Barcelona currently holding a four-point lead over Real Madrid in the La Liga standings.

The Copa del Rey final follows La Liga fixtures, with Real Madrid hosting Athletic Bilbao on Sunday before traveling to Getafe next Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Brazil are optimistic about appointing Ancelotti as their new head coach.

Negotiations are expected to intensify in the coming days as the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) looks to secure the former Juventus, AC Milan, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Napoli, and Everton boss.

On the defeat to the Gunners, Ancelotti added: “Arsenal were better than us. We tried to do our best.

“Maybe the overturned penalty (when Declan Rice was initially penalised for a foul on Kylian Mbappe) was a turning point. That could have changed it.

“But Arsenal defended very well. We found it difficult to find spaces. We were better than normal in our intensity level but it wasn’t enough.”