The fallout from Real Madrid’s UEFA Champions League exit could cost Carlo Ancelotti his job in the coming weeks.
Los Blancos saw their UCL title ruthlessly ended by Arsenal as Mikel Arteta’s side followed up a 3-0 quarterfinal first-leg win with a superb 2-1 return victory at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
Ancelotti remains at the helm of a side still pushing for a La Liga and Copa del Rey double this season but the sky high standards in Madrid could dictate otherwise.
Club president Florentino Perez sets lofty ambitions every season and domestic glory has often not be enough to save managers from the sack.
Ancelotti was dismissed by Perez during his first spell in Madrid, at the end of the 2014/15 campaign, after failing to defend his UCL title from the previous year, and finishing second in La Liga.
The veteran Italian coach has consistently stated he will not decide his own future in the Spanish capital with his current deal running until the end of the 2025/26 season.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
“We’re still fighting for La Liga, we have the Copa del Rey final, and we have the Club World Cup. It’s a never-ending season, but you have to pick yourself up,” he told Marca after defeat to Arsenal.
“My future? I don’t know what my future will be, and I don’t want to know
Xabi Alonso has been widely tipped as Perez’s choice to replace Ancelotti in the Bernabeu hot seat, with his Bayer Leverkusen contract also running until 2026, as Brazil remain keen on appointing Ancelotti as their new national team head coach.
Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is also an option if a call is made on Ancelotti.
In the latest twist, reports from Sky Sports indicate Perez is preparing to dispense with Ancelotti before end of the campaign, and he could leave immediately after their Copa del Rey final with Barcelona on April 26.
Sky Sports News understands that Carlo Ancelotti could leave Real Madrid after the Copa del Rey final on April 26 🚨 pic.twitter.com/HYLHDy9ulE
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 17, 2025
Ancelotti faces his El Clasico rivals in a crucial final, that could decide his future, despite also still having to take on the Catalan giants again in league action on May 11.
Perez will assess his next move either side of the Copa del Rey final with the La Liga title race still tightly poised.
Real Madrid’s 2024/25 season fixtures
Alongside the final with Barcelona, Real Madrid have seven La Liga games remaining in 2024/25, as they look to chase down Hansi Flick’s leaders to retain their Spanish top-flight crown.
- Athletic Club (H – La Liga), Sunday, April 20
- Getafe (A – La Liga), Wednesday, April 23
- Barcelona (N – Copa del Rey), Saturday, April 26
- Celta Vigo (H – La Liga), Sunday, May 4
- Barcelona (A – La Liga), Sunday, May 11
- Mallorca (H – La Liga), Wednesday, May 14*
- Sevilla (A – La Liga), Sunday, May 18*
- Real Sociedad (H – La Liga), Sunday, May 25*
*Kickoff dates and times to be confirmed by La Liga
Carlo Ancelotti’s El Clasico record
Across two spells in charge of Real Madrid, Ancelotti has faced Barcelona 18 times across all competitions, but he has lost both meetings with Flick this season [4-0 at home in La Liga and 5-2 in the Spanish Super Cup final].
Instagram/@realmadrid
Jude Bellingham’s double sealed a 2-1 away La Liga win in Catalonia last season but Ancelotti’s overall record is mixed against Barcelona.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid record vs. Barcelona
| Competition | Wins | Losses | Draws | Goals Scored | Goals Conceded |
| La Liga | 5 | 6 | 0 | 20 | 24 |
| Copa del Rey | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 |
| Spanish Super Cup | 2 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 11 |
MORE:Â Real Madrid’s ‘Premier League curse’ strikes again in Arsenal defeat
