Legendary Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti has decided to leave Real Madrid at the end of the 2024/25 campaign, according to a report by Radioestadio Noche on Onda Cero. Despite having a contract that runs until 2026, Ancelotti has made up his mind to quit Los Blancos after the current season.

The news comes as a surprise, given Ancelotti’s success at the club. Last month, he cemented his place as Real Madrid’s greatest manager of all time, winning his 15th trophy with the club after their triumph in the Intercontinental Cup in Qatar. However, according to the report, Ancelotti is very happy at the club but has made a firm decision to move on.

It is unlikely that Ancelotti will retire from management, with reports suggesting that he will instead take on a national team role. The 65-year-old coach has had a storied career, managing some of the biggest clubs in the world, including AC Milan, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain.

The news of Ancelotti’s departure has already sparked speculation about his replacement. Former Real midfielder Xabi Alonso, who helped Bayer Leverkusen win a historic Bundesliga title last season, has been strongly linked with a move to the Spanish capital. If Ancelotti does quit the job, Alonso is the favorite candidate to replace him at the helm.

For now, Ancelotti remains focused on the present season and will be back in Real’s dugout on Wednesday as the club hosts RB Leipzig in a Champions League encounter. The Italian manager will be looking to guide his team to victory and maintain their momentum in the competition.

Ancelotti’s decision to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season will undoubtedly be a significant blow to the club. However, with several top-class managers reportedly interested in taking over, Los Blancos will be confident of finding a suitable replacement to lead the team forward.