Carlo Ancelotti Considers Saudi Arabia’s Big Offer Amid Real Madrid Uncertainty
Carlo Ancelotti, the legendary Italian coach and current manager of Real Madrid, is reportedly weighing a major offer from Saudi Arabia amid growing questions about his future at the Spanish club. The Saudi proposal, if accepted, could see him reunite with football icon Cristiano Ronaldo and mark a significant shift in the global football landscape.
Champions League Exit Puts Ancelotti’s Future in Doubt
Real Madrid’s recent Champions League semi-final exit to Manchester City has intensified speculation around Ancelotti’s long-term position. Despite having a contract valid until June 2026, sources close to the club suggest the Real Madrid hierarchy is already preparing for a potential change.
Ancelotti has led Los Blancos to numerous titles, including La Liga and the Champions League in previous seasons, but inconsistent domestic performances this year and elimination from Europe’s top competition have reignited talk about his possible departure.
Former Real Madrid midfielder and current Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso is reportedly a favorite to take over if the Italian leaves, adding further weight to rumors about a looming coaching transition at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Saudi Arabia Makes a Bold Play
According to multiple reports, including those from reputable international outlets, Saudi Arabia has presented Ancelotti with a lucrative offer. The proposal is believed to be for a high-profile role with the Saudi Arabian national team and could offer a staggering €20 million per year in salary.
This comes as part of Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to invest in global football. After successfully attracting stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Karim Benzema to the Saudi Pro League, the kingdom is now aiming to bring elite European coaching talent to elevate its national football ambitions ahead of hosting future international tournaments.
Should Ancelotti accept, he would be reunited with Ronaldo, whom he coached during their time at Real Madrid. The duo enjoyed a highly successful partnership, winning the Champions League and maintaining a strong mutual respect ever since.
Ancelotti Has Rejected Saudi Offers Before – What’s Different Now?
Interestingly, this is not the first time Saudi Arabia has approached Ancelotti. In mid-2023, the Italian manager reportedly turned down a multimillion-dollar club-level offer from a Saudi team, choosing instead to honor his commitment to Real Madrid.
However, circumstances have changed. With his position under scrutiny in Spain and the offer now possibly involving a national team project rather than a club, Ancelotti may be more open to considering the move. Additionally, the scale of the financial package could be too tempting to decline, even for a coach of Ancelotti’s stature.
Brazil Still in the Race
While Saudi Arabia is aggressively pursuing Ancelotti, Brazil is another major football nation with eyes on the Italian tactician. The Brazilian Football Confederation has long viewed Ancelotti as the ideal candidate to lead their national team, especially with the 2026 FIFA World Cup in sight.
In fact, reports as early as last year suggested that Ancelotti had agreed in principle to take over the Brazilian national team once his contract with Real Madrid ended. Brazil’s current interim coach, Fernando Diniz, is seen as a placeholder until Ancelotti becomes available.
Should the Real Madrid chapter close sooner than expected, Ancelotti could choose between the glamour of managing Brazil’s Selecao or the challenge of transforming Saudi Arabia’s national team.
Ancelotti and Ronaldo: A Relationship Built on Respect
One factor that could sway Ancelotti toward Saudi Arabia is his strong relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo. The two share a mutual admiration forged during their successful stint at Real Madrid from 2013 to 2015. Ronaldo has often praised Ancelotti’s tactical understanding and leadership, while the coach has called Ronaldo “one of the greatest players in football history.”
In a past interview, Ancelotti also defended Ronaldo’s move to the Saudi Pro League, calling it a “positive step” for the growth of football in the region. That level of mutual respect could be pivotal in influencing Ancelotti’s next career decision.
What Ancelotti Has Said So Far
Despite the swirling rumors, Ancelotti has remained calm and diplomatic in public. He has not confirmed any contact with Saudi officials or Brazilian representatives but has admitted that his future will be evaluated once the season ends.
When asked about the speculation, Ancelotti recently said, “I am focused on finishing the season with Real Madrid. We’ll talk about the rest later.” This approach reflects his experience in dealing with pressure and media attention throughout his long managerial career.
What’s Next for Ancelotti?
As the 2024-25 football season winds down, the next few weeks could be crucial in determining Ancelotti’s future. Whether he stays at Real Madrid, takes up a historic role with Brazil, or joins Saudi Arabia in their growing football revolution, his decision will have a major impact on global football.
Each option comes with unique challenges and massive rewards:
- Staying at Real Madrid would mean continuing to manage one of the most successful clubs in history, but under increasing pressure and scrutiny.
- Joining Brazil would offer the prestige of coaching one of the greatest national teams with a rich legacy and passionate fan base.
- Moving to Saudi Arabia could make Ancelotti a pioneer in a region investing heavily in football’s future, with unmatched financial rewards.
Final Thoughts
Carlo Ancelotti’s coaching resume is already legendary — he is the only manager to win all five of Europe’s top leagues and holds the record for most Champions League titles by a manager. At this stage of his career, every decision is about legacy, impact, and influence.
Whether he remains in Spain, moves to the Middle East, or heads to South America, Ancelotti’s next step could reshape international football in ways we’re only beginning to understand.
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