Ancelotti says goodbye to Real Madrid: The father and the giant legacy

The whip and the carrot

To explain how to build relationships with players, Carlo Ancelotti often tells a story whose main characters are two horses.

In the story, which Carletto has told for decades to those interested in his leadership style, the master stands behind the horse and uses a whip to force it to jump over a fence. Meanwhile, another master places a carrot near the fence to entice the horse to jump over.

Ancelotti is a coach, friend and father to the players. Photo: EFE

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“If you always use the whip, sometimes the horse will kick instead of jump,” he explains.

It was in that reflection, 12 years ago, and today at the Santiago Bernabeu (9:15 p.m. on May 24), that the so-called “honeymoon” (according to himself) between Ancelotti and Real Madrid ended.

“Players need to feel comfortable” is his motto. Build relationships with carrots, not whips .

As a coach, friend and father (“padre” in Italian – they called him that) to many at Valdebebas, he created bonds of trust, turning the squad into a big family.

A family you would call to see how they were doing. That's how you understand Ancelotti's success at Real Madrid .

Today, he leaves as the most successful coach in Real Madrid's history. 15 titles, including 3 Champions Leagues, put him ahead of Miguel Munoz.

An unexpected achievement in 2021, when Ancelotti called General Manager Jose Angel Sanchez, just to ask “how are you doing?” , while also borrowing a few players for Everton. After just 2 minutes, Carletto realized he could return to Bernabeu.

Ancelotti at a press conference on Friday. Photo: EFE

Six years on from his 2015 departure, Ancelotti’s “calm” and “elegance” kept Madrid’s doors open. Carletto took advantage of that opportunity.

Today he leaves again, exactly 10 years later (on May 25, 2015, he announced his departure from Real). These milestones mark an eternal legacy, not only through achievements but also through style.

“My father never gets angry”

In 2013, Ancelotti replaced Jose Mourinho, who failed to win European glory. He returned in 2021 after a lackluster period with Lopetegui, Solari and Zinedine Zidane (second term).

Ancelotti brought peace and stability in his 2,153 days in charge. “The calm approach has been with me since childhood, thanks to my father, Giuseppe, my first leader. My father never got angry.”

“Thank you, Carlo,” Real Madrid’s farewell message. Photo: RMCF

Carletto's retention of Casemiro, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, when many demanded a change in midfield after failures in 2019 and 2020, helped the team win the 2022 Champions League.

At the same time, he developed young talents Vinicius, Rodrygo, Valverde and Camavinga.

Meanwhile, he smoothly handled potentially shocking departures like Sergio Ramos, Varane, Casemiro, Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Benzema – pillars in three consecutive Champions League titles.

There was almost no major change, because in 2024, he won the “orejona” (elephant ear cup) again.

Ancelotti has both rebuilt and won with the squad that Florentino Perez and Sanchez planned from the front office, something the club has valued to the end, even this season when almost everything has failed.

Again, back to the family image. He has never complained publicly about the lack of new signings, only referring to the lack of “balance” in the squad.

He did not criticize the players even though the defense played loosely. Carletto always stood up for Vinicius when there was controversy.

Maybe players need to be whipped at some point, but if he did, he would no longer be Ancelotti.

Ancelotti left a huge legacy, especially in his second term at Bernabeu. Photo: EFE

“I’m not sad. I’m happy. An important stage in my career is over. I tried to do everything for the club. I leave with happiness. Sooner or later this day had to come and I’m grateful to all the people who worked with me during this time,” he said on Friday, ahead of the Sociedad game.

The Italian coach emphasized: “I had a great time, was loved, helped a lot, trained excellent players. Everything went well.”

And so, with characteristic calm, Carletto lived through these strange weeks, with the Brazil deal, the silence from Madrid about the future – broken only on Friday – and with Xabi Alonso on the horizon .

After 2,153 days, less than only Juan de Carcer (2,190 days; 1920–1926), Arthur Johnson (3,652; 1910–1920) and Miguel Munoz (5,019; 1960–1974), the “calm man” left.

Video of Real Madrid saying goodbye to Ancelotti. Source: RMCF

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/ancelotti-chia-tay-real-madrid-di-san-vinh-cuu-cua-nguoi-cha-2404378.html