Ancelotti: "The only way to say goodbye was with the affection I have for this club, and the affection they have for me"
"I'm honoured to have had the chance to coach this club and become part of its history," he underlined.
Carlo Ancelotti appeared in the press room at Real Madrid City on the eve of the final LaLiga game of the season, as our team gear up to take on Real Sociedad. It's also set to be his last game as Real Madrid coach. "You can't avoid thinking about what special days these are. It's my final game and whenever a journey comes to an end, it's emotional but I'm not at all sad. It's the end of a hugely important time in my life. I've tried to do all I could for this club and we've enjoyed great success together," he stated.
Gratitude
“I'd like to thank everyone who has worked with me during my time here; my players, my president, my Board of Directors... We've had a wonderful time together and I've felt such warmth and affection. I've had the opportunity to coach some unbelievable players and the outcome has been hugely positive."
Complete agreement with the club
“This spell has come to an end. It's been a long period together and it's ending on good terms. There is a full agreement with the club. I've never had a conflict with my president, so that wasn't about to change on my last day. Now I'm starting out on a new chapter with the same desire and excitement as when I arrived here. It's been a period of great success, we've won so much. I also consider it a success to have made it through over 700 press conferences with you guys (laughs), that deserves a trophy in itself. We've had a good time too, but it hasn't been easy and your questions haven't always been nice."
His Santiago Bernabéu farewell
“It will be as it should, a beautiful day. These will be days full of emotion. We've succeeded in creating a great working environment, thanks to the efforts of everyone here. The chefs, the people who have cleaned my room... It's the end of a long season and four years is a long time here too. We've all had a lovely time."
Emotional goodbye
“I'm an emotional guy, just like my father and grandfather were. I have no problem in shedding a tear, I won't hide that. It's going to be a special day and I'll be sharing it with Modrić, who has been a wonderful support for me in this period. He's a fantastic player and a legend. I think it's beautiful to say goodbye alongside him."
Proud to receive a tribute
“The pride comes from having coached this club, winning titles and going down in history. That was the goal when I started here back in 2013. Having been able to do that, the only way to say goodbye was with the same affection I have for the club and the affection they have always shown me."
His best night at the Bernabéu
“So many. It's difficult to pick a single game. I think the comebacks against PSG, Chelsea and Manchester City stick in everyone's minds. It's something we still can't explain. I'd stick with those, and then all the trophies and finals we've won."
His upcoming spell with Brazil
“It's a great feeling. It's a really exciting prospect, and I was given the chance to avoid betraying Real Madrid by going to another club, and to lead the most iconic national team in football. The five-time world champions. It's a huge challenge and I'm relishing the chance to get ready for a World Cup with Brazil. It's a really beautiful period for me."
How would he like to be remembered?
“As a good coach, but time will tell in that sense. I still feel so much affection and that makes me incredibly happy."
A return to Real Madrid
“You're asking me things I don't know the answer to. My relationship with Madrid will last forever. I have no desire to coach another club after Real Madrid. In the short-term, I just want to do a good job with the Brazilian national side."
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Is it harder to be a good coach, or a good spokesman?
“It's not one or the other. This is a demanding club, it has to be because of its history. That means it can't be any other way, and the demands here are a key part of the success. But managing a dressing room or a club like Real Madrid isn't difficult. You have every single tool available to you to be successful: organisation, quality, and a real football club, rather than a business, which is fantastically managed by a great president."
How has his view of football changed over time?
“Football has changed in the last 10 or 20 years. I won my first Champions League in 2003 and my last in 2024. If I weren't able to keep up with the changes in football, I wouldn't have won another European Cup 21 years later. Having a young coaching staff, full of enthusiasm and a will to learn, has helped keep me up to date. I'm a different coach today."
On Luka Modrić
“The club has everything it needs to be competitive next year with a new coach or new players. The goal will be the same as ever. Modrić has been an example for everyone. There are so many quality players in modern football. What's really made him stand out is his ability to combine that quality with his spirit. That's what has seen him become a Real Madrid legend. Not everyone is capable of combining the two."
Xabi Alonso
“I don't want to offer advice, because everyone has their own ideas about football. All I can say is that he's hugely fortunate to be Real Madrid coach. I wish him all the best, and all the luck in the world. I think he has the attributes to coach this team. I hope he enjoys it."
Does he regret any of his decisions?
“No. I know I have made several bad decisions, but I couldn't tell you which one had the biggest impact on me. I've not lost sleep over anything yet."
What type of coach is he?
“My work can be judged, that's absolutely fine. But I am a person who does his job as a coach. You might have positive or negative opinions of my work, that's not a problem. I'd rather be remembered as a good person.”
The end of an era
“Modrić is one of the last of a truly special golden generation. Carvajal is the last guy here but the cycle has come to an end. It's not about the club needing to build a new generation, there are players who have been here a long time like Camavinga, Rodrygo or Vinicius. Madridismo shouldn't be concerned, this is a club that always wants to be at the very highest level. Modrić's time here is over, as is mine, and Kroos, Casemiro, Cristiano, Benzema, Sergio Ramos, Casillas before us… But Real Madrid continues to be the greatest club in the world.