Ancelotti's loneliness, Real Madrid's strange silence, and a delayed dismissal

Real Madrid and Carlo Ancelotti have parted ways after four seasons together. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF)'s announcement on Monday surprised everyone: the Italian will be Brazil's next coach. However, the club has not issued any statement regarding his departure. The coach's explanations were minimal in press conferences, and they suggested a different approach between the two.

"The departure is happening because the CBF has released this statement and it's official. Madrid will release the statement whenever they want, there's no problem. They'll set their own pace. There's nothing further to add . What I discuss with the club is entirely personal," the Italian maintained when questioned by reporters. From the outset, when doubts about his continuity arose, Carletto maintained that his contract expires in 2026 and that he wouldn't leave on his own. His move to Brazil only came after Madrid informed him of his dismissal at the end of the season, allowing for his first foray as national team coach. A deferred dismissal pending confirmation.

Ancelotti was perhaps as surprised as Real Madrid when Brazil announced his signing. It was an open secret that he had an agreement to become Brazil's new coach until the 2026 World Cup, but the official announcement wasn't expected. Or at least , it wasn't expected after losing the fourth Clásico of the season and failing to coordinate with Real Madrid.

Brazil's times aren't the same as those of Madrid and Ancelotti . The national team was in a hurry to secure a renowned coach during one of the poorest periods in its history. The 4-1 defeat to Argentina in Buenos Aires ended Dorival Junior's absence and the need to fulfill a long-held dream: for Ancelotti to coach in Teresópolis.

An incomprehensible delay

"That stage will begin on May 26. I'm still Madrid's coach." Ancelotti knows he's embarking on a new adventure in Brazil because he's aware of his dismissal as Real Madrid manager . But he didn't respond when asked about the timing of his dismissal. There hasn't been any official announcement from the Santiago Bernabéu, despite the Brazilian announcement and the fact that the signing of his replacement, Xabi Alonso, has been finalized.

Madrid's delay is incomprehensible because Ancelotti will not be the coach for the Club World Cup, which starts on June 15, and Xabi has already said goodbye to Leverkusen and has finalized the agreement with the Bernabéu offices. This temporary arrangement can be seen as a snub to Carletto, given the loneliness with which he has had to face the situation. "If I didn't have the press conference, it would be a fantastic day, but in the press conference I have to explain things that I don't want to because I have great respect for this shirt."

A pending tribute

Ancelotti found himself alone, unsure of what message to follow , with no support from Real Madrid in his explanations. He dodged the questions as best he could and left feeling "happy" despite the end of this era. The club still has the opportunity to pay homage to the greatest manager in its history. Failure to do so would be a clear snub, as has already happened with other historic figures at the club: Sergio Ramos, Iker Casillas, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Raúl González.

The situation is unbelievable. Rarely has the signing of a manager been confirmed by a team before their dismissal in the previous season . In the final chapter of Ancelotti's second spell at Madrid, Florentino Pérez has added a new anomaly, although few things seem incredible at the Bernabéu when it comes to saying goodbye to its legends.