Ancelotti talks Rodrygo, Alonso, Brazil move ahead of Real Madrid vs Mallorca – ‘Club that I have in my heart’ | OneFootball

Following the announcement of him being named the next Brazil manager, Carlo Ancelotti faced the media for the first time, still in charge of Real Madrid for a little over a week.

The 65-year-old tactician will leave the club on May 25 after the final La Liga game of the season vs Real Sociedad and assume duties of the Brazil national team.

Real Madrid, though, have more pressing matters coming up as they take on RCD Mallorca at the Santiago Bernabeu tomorrow, hoping to bounce back to winning ways after losing their fourth El Clasico of the season last weekend.

Naturally, as Ancelotti spoke to the media in his pre-match press conference, his exit from Real Madrid and the impending appointment of Xabi Alonso as his successor was a major talking point.

However, not taking his eye off the upcoming match, Ancelotti said: “The last matches are always competitive. We have important absentees. We will try to put out a competitive team and win these three games.

“The league is not over. We don’t want to give it away. We want to do well and finish a difficult season well.”

On his feelings in what are his final days as the Real Madrid manager, Ancelotti remarked:

“My feeling, from the 26th I will be coach of Brazil. It’s an important challenge, but I’m still coach of Madrid. I want to finish this fantastic adventure well. I know that they will be interested in what I will do.

“But I have to think about the days I have left here. Because of the respect I have for this club and this fan base, I’m focused on this last stretch of this spectacular adventure.”

On why the announcement was made by Brazil right now, the manager replied: “It’s because the CBF has issued this statement and from the 26th I’ll be Brazil coach.”

When asked if he was surprised that Real Madrid have not issued an official statement confirming his exit, Ancelotti stated:

“Madrid will release the statement when they want to release it. There is no problem at all. I don’t know when they will do it. They will do it at the time they consider appropriate. Nothing to add.”

Ancelotti will leave Real Madrid even though he had another year on his contract. When asked why the decision was made, the manager noted:

“Football, as in life, is an adventure that begins and ends. I always had in mind that one day it will come to an end. It’s the end of a very nice period. I’ve had a great time. But as in all things in life, there is a moment like that.

“If life comes to an end, imagine if a period of a football team can come to an end. I’ve had a good time, I want to end it well. On the 26th I will talk about another challenge. I never had a problem with the club and I never will.

“It is a club that I have in my heart and I will have it too when this adventure is over. It ends after a few years where we have won many titles. With a fantastic memory that will stay with us for life.”

On if there is any disappointment on how things are ending for him this season, he added: “No frustration. The day I arrived, if you told me I was going to win 11 titles in four years, I would sign it in blood.

“This season has not gone well for many reasons. But it has been an unforgettable period.”

When asked if he had any advice for Xabi Alonso, set to take over from him at Real Madrid, Ancelotti replied:

“I’m very fond of him. I don’t have any advice, because he has all the tools to be a great coach in the future.”

Set to bid goodbye. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

On how the next couple of weeks are going to be, for him and the team, Ancelotti noted:

“I know how they are going to be. We have to prepare for the next matches. I have it very clear in my head. And then on the 26th I will have something else to do. And I will think about it.”

On if there are any regrets, he replied: “No regrets at all. I want to have a fantastic time in my last 15 days. I got as much out of it as I could. From myself. The titles speak for themselves.”

When quizzed why he does not seem happy despite having signed for Brazil, Ancelotti responded:

“Yes, I am very happy. At the press conference I have to explain things that I don’t want to explain, because I have the shirt of Madrid until the 25th.

“Because I respect this shirt a lot. I want to respect it until the last day. I wanted to win La Liga, the Champions League, but I’m very happy.”

On being further probed about why Real Madrid decided to part ways now, Ancelotti did not blame the club, saying:

“I never felt that Madrid didn’t want me. Madrid wants me. Also if I go to Brazil on the 25th. Madrid always loves me. They have always shown me affection. I couldn’t be coach of Madrid all my life. This is over because of many things.

“Maybe the club needs a new impulse. I don’t make a drama out of it. A thousand thanks to this club. And we will continue. I will be of Madrid all my life. It’s a period that is coming to an end. It’s spectacular.

“I never thought I could coach Madrid for six years and it’s happened.”

Meanwhile, Ancelotti also explained the situation of Rodrygo, who did not train today due to some physical problem and might be done for the season.

“Rodrygo has had a fever that hasn’t allowed him to be at his best. Today in training he had some discomfort in his leg. I don’t know which leg. And he wasn’t well, he didn’t recover well from the fever,” said Ancelotti.

“Afterwards there has been a lot of speculation about this. Everyone has a special affection for Rodrygo, especially me.”

Shedding light on the forward’s emotional state, the manager added: “When a player isn’t well, he’s not well emotionally. He wants to show his quality, to help the team. It’s normal.”

On what image do the fans have of him, Ancelotti replied: “We’ve had a wonderful time with unforgettable comebacks and I’m sure the fans won’t forget it.”

About there being some disappointment about him negotiating with Brazil while still being at Real Madrid, Ancelotti hit back saying:

“I respect all opinions. It’s a football thing. Like press conferences. And you have to put up with them. But I’m not sad.”

Source: AS