Carlo Ancelotti sends message to Xabi Alonso as Real Madrid line up replacement | OneFootball

Italian will start work as Brazil boss the day after the end of the La Liga season

Passing on the baton: Xabi Alonso is set to replace Carlo Ancelotti in the Real Madrid dugout

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Carlo Ancelotti insisted there is no “drama” behind his departure from Real Madrid, as he backed Xabi Alonso as a potential replacement.

That is just a day after Real Madrid’s final La Liga match of the season at home to Real Sociedad, and it means the 65-year-old will not lead the side at the Club World Cup this summer.

Ancelotti had a year remaining on his contract at Madrid but will bring an early end to his second spell in the dugout, having led the club to two La Liga titles and to Champions League glory on three occasions.

“I will love Real Madrid and they will love me,” Ancelotti said at a press conference on Tuesday.

“Clubs need changes. Coaches need changes. This is life. It’s not a drama. Life goes on.”

Alonso is expected to become the new manager at Real Madrid, having confirmed he will leave Bayer Leverkusen this summer.

The Spaniard, who spent five seasons at the Bernabeu as a player, was linked with the job last summer before he ultimately decided to spend another season in Germany.

Asked about the possibility of the 43-year-old, who he managed at Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, replacing him, Ancelotti said: “Xabi Alonso doesn’t need any advice from me as he’s a great manager.

“He has everything to become a top, top coach.”

Ancelotti insisted his departure from Real Madrid was a “shared decision”, but it was put to him that some fans could view it as disrespectful that he negotiated with Brazil while still in charge of the club.

“I respect all opinions,” the Italian said.

“That's part of football. Like press conferences, you have to put up with them. But I'm not sad.”