Ancelotti bids farewell to Real Madrid with "unforgettable years" and "a journey full of emotions and titles"

 Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti sent a farewell message to Real Madrid and its fans on Friday, the eve of his final match with the club before moving to coach the Brazilian national team on Monday.

Real Madrid will play its farewell match with Ancelotti on Saturday when it hosts Real Sociedad in the 38th and final round of the domestic league, which the club lost to rivals Barcelona. The same applies to the Champions League, which it exited in the quarter-finals at the hands of English side Arsenal.

The 65-year-old, who is stepping down to succeed Xabi Alonso, said in a farewell message posted on his Twitter account, "Today, everyone goes their own way again. Today, once again, I carry in my heart every moment of this wonderful second spell as Real Madrid coach."

After a first spell from June 2013 to May 2015, during which he led Real Madrid to their tenth Champions League title in 2014, the Italian returned to the Spanish capital club in the summer of 2021 and won the La Liga title in 2022 and 2024, as well as the Champions League in 2022 and 2024, among many other domestic, continental, and international titles.

However, this season did not live up to expectations. Real Madrid suffered from defensive fragility and lost all four matches against their rivals Barcelona, ​​starting with the 11th round of the league at home (4-0), followed by the Super Cup final (5-2), the Copa del Rey final (3-2 after extra time), and finally the 35th round of the league, when they squandered a 2-0 lead and ultimately lost 4-3, dashing their hopes of retaining the title.

The Italian, who led Real Madrid to 15 titles during his two spells with the club, continued, "These were unforgettable years, an incredible journey filled with emotions and titles, and most importantly, I was proud to represent this club." He thanked "President Florentino Perez, the club, the players, my staff, and most importantly, the unique fans who always made me feel part of it."

He considered that "what we achieved together will remain in the memory of Real Madrid fans, not only because of our victories, but also because of the way we achieved them."

The man who will become the first permanent foreign coach of the Brazilian national team added, "The magical nights at the Bernabéu have become part of football history. Now a new adventure begins, but my relationship with Real Madrid is eternal."

Real Madrid officially announced on Friday the parting of ways with the Italian, a year before the end of their contract, saying, "Real Madrid and Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti have reached an agreement to end his tenure as Real Madrid coach. Our club expresses its affection and gratitude to one of the greatest legends of Real Madrid and world football."

He continued, "Carlo Ancelotti led our team through one of the most successful periods in our 123-year history and became the coach with the most titles in our history: 3 Champions Leagues, 3 Club World Cups, 3 European Super Cups, 2 La Liga titles, 2 Copa del Rey titles, and 2 Spanish Super Cups."

Club president Florentino Perez praised the Italian coach, saying, "Carlo Ancelotti is now an integral part of the great Real Madrid family. We are proud of a coach who has helped us achieve so much success and who represents the values ​​of our club to the fullest."

The statement concluded, "Tomorrow, the Santiago Bernabéu will celebrate Carlo Ancelotti's final match as Real Madrid coach. Real Madrid wishes him and all his family the best in this new stage of their lives."