The beginning of this week brings significant football news, mirroring the intensity of the past weekend. Key developments include major managerial appointments and the ongoing battle for a place in the Premier League.
The Forward Line
Carlo Ancelotti swaps Real Madrid for Brazil
Carlo Ancelotti`s second tenure at Real Madrid is officially drawing to a close. He is scheduled to depart the club following their final La Liga match of the season on May 25, a move that will see him take on the long-anticipated role as manager of the Brazilian national team. Ancelotti will officially commence his duties with Brazil on May 26, overseeing their World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador on June 7 and Paraguay on June 10. These matches will mark the initial phase of their preparations for the 2026 World Cup.
Ancelotti joins a growing list of high-profile managers transitioning from club roles to national teams in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup. While his appointment adds excitement to the tournament, it also highlights the substantial task ahead for Brazil. The five-time World Cup winners have appeared somewhat adrift since their quarterfinal exit against Croatia in the 2022 World Cup. This lack of direction was evident in their performance during the 2026 qualifying campaign, where they won only two of their opening six matches, and their quarterfinal elimination in last year`s Copa America. The new head coach is tasked with reversing this trend and finally unlocking the full potential of Brazil`s talented attacking players, such as Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, who have excelled under Ancelotti at Real Madrid but not consistently for the national team.
As for Real Madrid, Ancelotti leaves a club deeply intertwined with his legacy across two highly successful periods. He once remarked that his “honeymoon period” with Madrid would last until the end of his life, acknowledging the clear conclusion of his time there. During his spells, he secured three of his five UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid, becoming the most decorated manager in the competition`s history, along with two La Liga trophies. Former Real Madrid player Xabi Alonso, who recently guided Bayer Leverkusen to a Bundesliga title and is considered by Ancelotti as one of the world`s best coaches, is widely expected to be his successor.
While Ancelotti embarks on a new challenge with Brazil, he leaves a considerable task for his replacement in Madrid. Los Blancos are on track to finish the season without a domestic or continental trophy for the first time since the 2018-19 campaign. Despite the addition of players like Kylian Mbappe in their `Galacticos` era, this season has repeatedly highlighted imbalances in the squad and the need for improvements in several areas. Ancelotti returned in 2021 to stabilize the club, but his confirmed departure now ushers in a true period of transition.
Midfield Link Play
Premier League promotion race continues
The contest to secure the final promotion spot for next season`s Premier League continues this week. The field of four teams in the Championship promotion playoffs will be reduced to two after the second legs of the semifinals.
One team, Sheffield United, appears to be firmly positioned for a place in the playoff final. They host Bristol City on Monday holding a commanding 3-0 advantage from the first leg, courtesy of goals from Harrison Burrows, Andre Brooks, and Callum O`Hare. This lead reflects the significant points difference between the two teams in the regular season table, where Bristol finished 24 points behind United. Sheffield United is focused on an immediate return to the Premier League following their last-place finish last season and has maintained faith in manager Chris Wilder throughout this effort to bounce back.
Tuesday`s match in Sunderland is anticipated to be a closer affair. Sunderland holds a narrow 2-1 aggregate lead over Coventry City heading into the second leg. Goals from Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda secured Sunderland`s advantage as they aim for their first Premier League season since 2016-17, when they finished last. The Black Cats have experienced a dramatic journey since then, including immediate relegation to League One and four seasons in the third division before returning to the Championship for the 2022-23 campaign. Frank Lampard`s Coventry City, meanwhile, hopes to reach the Premier League for the first time since the 2000-01 season, having spent over two decades in England`s lower leagues.
Each team is competing for a spot in the promotion playoff final scheduled for May 24 at Wembley Stadium in London. This match is often referred to as football`s “richest game” due to the immense financial rewards associated with Premier League status. Securing promotion can bring potential earnings of hundreds of millions of dollars. For instance, Sheffield United earned approximately $145 million from participating in the top flight, even finishing last, significantly more than the roughly $65 million they earned in the Championship this season as a recently relegated club.
