Carlo Ancelotti signs new Real Madrid deal as boss, 64, snubs Brazil following Jude Bellingham praise
REAL MADRID boss Carlo Ancelotti has signed a new contract until 2026.
The Italian manager, 64, had been wanted by Brazil ahead of the 2025 Copa America and the World Cup in 2026, but Madrid have managed to tie him down for another two-and-a-half years.
Over two spells as Real Madrid boss the former Chelsea and Everton manager has won the Champions League twice and has one LaLiga title.
But with English star Jude Bellingham lighting up Spanish football, Los Blancos could be on their way to another title - sitting top going into their winter break.
And Real sensation Bellingham has put his excellent start down to Ancelotti.
He said recently: "I put in my efforts and a fierce commitment to excel at work, but the credit goes to Mr. Ancelotti who found the right position for me and gave me more freedom on the field.
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"So now I’m flying on the field."
Real Madrid won the LaLiga title and Champions League in 2022 under Ancelotti - who began his second spell in June 2021.
And while they failed to secure either of those trophies last season, he did scoop the Copa del Rey.
During his first stint as boss, Ancelotti won the Champions League and Copa del Rey.
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Meanwhile, Brazil were eliminated from last year's World Cup by Croatia in the quarter-finals.
The five-time champions have not reached a World Cup final since they last won the tournament in 2002.
But they have claimed three Copa Americas in that time - in 2004, 2007 and 2019.
Brazil are waiting anxiously on the fitness of all-time top scorer Neymar - who is in a race to make their Copa America squad after suffering an ACL injury while playing for Al-Nassr in October.