Ancelotti Praises Xabi Alonso but Avoids Farewell Talk

In his press conference, Ancelotti commented on Xabi Alonso, who recently announced he will leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season. While not confirming whether Xabi could be his successor at Real Madrid, Ancelotti praised his former player: “I’ve read that Xabi is leaving Leverkusen. He’s done a fantastic job and has all doors open because he’s shown he’s one of the best coaches in the world.”

Despite growing speculation about a coaching change at the club, the Italian coach kept his focus on the present—particularly Sunday’s clash against Barcelona—and did not address the rumors linking him with the Brazilian national team.

Eternal Bond With Real Madrid

Although the press conference had a farewell tone at times, Ancelotti made it clear that his connection with Real Madrid goes beyond titles and contracts: “The honeymoon with this club never ends—it continues and will last forever. Real Madrid, just like Milan was before, is a team that stays in your heart more than others. That’s normal, because of the time spent here and how good I feel.”

He added that, even if his time as coach eventually comes to an end, the bond will remain: “Like every relationship, there’s a lot of passion at the beginning, and when that fades, affection grows. My honeymoon with Real Madrid will last until the last day of my life.”

When asked if he saw himself as the coach who best represents the club’s values, Ancelotti responded with humility: “I don’t know. Real Madrid is a special club that deserves a special attitude from its coach and everyone who works here. That’s what I’ve always tried to give every day.”

The future may still be uncertain, but one thing is clear: for Ancelotti, his love story with Real Madrid has no expiration date.