Xabi Alonso has everything to succeed at Real Madrid – Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the media for the first time since the confirmation that he will become Brazil’s manager on May 26. With Xabi Alonso set to take over at Real Madrid, the Italian hailed the Spaniard, insisting that he has the tools to be a great coach.

The announcement that Carlo Ancelotti has been appointed manager of the Brazil national team came on Monday, but the Italian still has three games to go at the helm of Real Madrid before completing the switch.

Los Blancos face Mallorca on Wednesday night before travelling to Sevilla on the penultimate matchday of La Liga.

Ancelotti will then bid farewell to the club at the Santiago Bernabeu on the final game against Real Sociedad, taking over at the Canarinha on May 26.

“I will be Brazil’s coach on May 26,” he began his pre-match press conference. “Right now, I am Real Madrid’s manager. I want to end in the best way possible and want to enjoy my final days. I respect the club, the fans and the players.”

Brazil broke the news on Ancelotti’s move, but the Spanish side are yet to release comment on his departure. “Real Madrid will release the statement when they want to, there’s no problem,” the 65-year-old reassured.

The Merengues head into their game off the back of a painful ‘Clasico’ defeat to Barcelona, which left them seven points behind in the title race with three games to go. But Ancelotti refused to rule his side out of the hunt: “La Liga isn’t over yet and we won’t give up.”

Despite failing to win the Champions League and almost certainly the league, he insisted that he had no regrets about his time at the club: “I loved my time here,” he admitted. “I am leaving after four years, during which we have won a lot of trophies. The experience will stay with me forever.”

Asked to comment on Xabi Alonso, who is set to take over at Madrid, Ancelotti said the former midfielder had the tools at his disposal to succeed. “I don’t think he needs advice. He’s a great manager. Alonso has all the tools to be a great coach,” he said.

Rodrygo will not feature against Mallorca after a discomfort in training forced him out of the matchday squad. The Brazilian’s absence is ablow after Real Madrid, who are missing ten starting players between injury woes and suspension.