PETE JENSON: Carlo Ancelotti realised he didn’t need to leave Real Madrid to manage the best Brazilians… as the Italian ends speculation he was set to become the new Selecao boss by extending his contract at the Bernabeu
- Ancelotti is in his second spell as Real's manager, having managed them from 2013 to 2015
- There had been suggestions that he would leave the club to become Brazil boss
- Eddie Howe is crying out for help in the transfer market with Liverpool, Sunderland, Man City and Aston Villa coming It all starts
Carlo Ancelotti has realized for some time that in order to coach the best Brazilians, he does not actually have to leave Real Madrid.
The 23rd Vinicius, 22nd Rodrygo and 17-year-old Endrick – who arrives at the end of this season – could be Real Madrid's front three for the next five years and Ancelotti's contract extension means he will be at the club to to guide them at least until 2026.
His two-year contract extension is also an illustration of how, arguably the biggest club in the world, realizes that there is no one better prepared to take them forward than the 64-year-old Italian.
Ancelotti's imprint can be seen on every aspect of the current side and with Xabi Alonso unwilling to think about his next job while still making history at Bayer Leverkusen, it was wise to go with the same to hold safe hands.
It is under Ancelotti that Vinicius has evolved from a three-goal-a-season striker to a striker who can score 20. Zinedine Zidane had a lack of belief in the Brazilian that he found difficult to hide and since Ancelotti replaced him, Vini has really blossomed. .
Carlo Ancelotti has extended his contract as manager of Real Madrid until 2026
Ancelotti has two of Brazil's most exciting players in his Real Madrid squad: Vinicius (left) and Rodrygo (right)
Jude Bellingham has benefited hugely from Ancelotti's decision to move him to the point of a midfield diamond
Vinicius' compatriot Rodrygo was publicly chastised by Ancelotti for not offering his hand after being sent off in a match last January, but the enormous respect Ancelotti is held by him saw Rodrygo quickly apologise.
He started poorly this season but has recovered to score seven league goals. He has dedicated his recent form to his mentor, who he says never lost faith in him after going two months without a competitive goal.
Both Brazilians wanted Ancelotti to become their national coach and made no secret of it, but for them it is even better that he remains their club coach at least until the 2026 World Cup.
Behind Brazilians Real Madrid have Jude Bellingham at the top of a midfield diamond crafted by Ancelotti when he was told he would not get a new striker this summer.
Bellingham has often said that his incredible numbers this season are partly due to the man in charge who has created a system that suits him perfectly. He has never been in the box again, so no wonder he has already surpassed last season's Bundesliga figures.
Real Madrid's policy of building a team around youth needs a reliable custodian and just as Ancelotti worked his magic with Bellingham, Rodrygo and Vinicius, he will now be entrusted to do the same with Endrick, who arrives this summer when he just turned 18.
It remains to be seen whether he comes alone or whether Kylian Mbappé also arrives. The fact that the French striker no longer has everything in order could see him drop his financial demands and move to the Spanish capital.
It could also mean he misses the opportunity to swap Paris Saint-Germain for Madrid forever. In any case, Ancelotti is the man who has to deal with the situation.
And it's not just the younger players that Ancelotti is best at dealing with. This has been a difficult time for Luka Modric and for Toni Kroos, as they see the younger midfield options slowly but surely becoming more important in the club's thinking.
The 17-year-old Endrick will officially join his Real Madrid teammates at the end of the season
Modric in particular struggled to get minutes from the start of games at the start of the season, but once again the excellent player-coach relationship has helped resolve the issues before they could cause a slump in Madrid's season.
His extension does not necessarily mean the end of his chances of taking over the Brazil job. Now that the 2026 World Cup is approaching, opportunities may arise again. If not, Ancelotti will not regret not doing it now, with a difficult Copa America ahead.
Madrid could still turn to Alonso, but they don't need to rush their former player, who has thus far been adamant about even considering an alternative outside Bayer Leverkusen.
The German club have never won the Bundesliga and if they want to do so in a season when their side are likely to be the most affected by Africa Cup of Nations call-ups, it will require all his concentration.
For now, Alonso, one of Ancelotti's students, will remain in Germany and Carleto will remain at the helm of Real Madrid.
Any other course of action made no sense to either the club or the coach.
