Carlo Ancelotti insists he has no issue with Real Madrid ahead of his exit this summer, which will see him take over as manager of Brazil's national team.
The Italian's second spell as Real coach has only weeks left to run. It follows a difficult campaign that is set to finish without a trophy.
There has been no official announcement from Real about Ancelotti's future – something the coach says he has no issue with – despite the expected arrival of former midfielder Xabi Alonso as his replacement.
In the worst-kept secret in football, Alonso will leave his post as Bayer Leverkusen coach to replace Ancelotti at Real this summer. The Spaniard revealed last Friday that he is leaving the German club at the end of the Bundesliga campaign, without confirming his next destination.
Then on Monday, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced “the coming together of two icons” with Ancelotti taking over as Selecao coach on May 26, the day after La Liga's season ends.
Ancelotti will be in the dugout on Wednesday when Real face Mallorca, knowing that defeat will ensure Barcelona, currently top by seven points with three games to go, become La Liga champions.
If Real do come away with three points, Barca can secure the title 24 hours later away to Espanyol.
“If I didn't have the press conference today, it would be fantastic,” said Ancelotti on Tuesday. “There are things I can't explain right now because I'm at Madrid and I want to respect the shirt.
“From May 26 onwards, I'll be Brazil's coach. It's a very important challenge, but I want to finish the final stretch of this fantastic adventure here well.
“I never had problems with Real and never will have problems with Real. It's a club that lives dearly in my heart, but everything in life has a date to end.
“I couldn't be Madrid coach for the rest of my life. It comes to an end for many reasons. The club may need a new impetus. I'm not making a big deal out of it.
“A thousand thanks to this club. And we'll carry on. I'll always be a Madrid fan. It's the end of an era. Spectacular. I never thought I'd coach Madrid for six years, and now it's happened.”
Ancelotti took over at the Bernabeu for a second time in 2021 following the resignation of Zinedine Zidane, immediately guiding the team to a Uefa Champions League and La Liga double.
He would repeat that feat last season, making Ancelotti the only coach to win the Champions League five times – two clear of Zidane, Pep Guardiola and Bob Paisley.
“I always kept in mind that one day it ends,” reflected Ancelotti on Tuesday. “I've had a great time, and I think everyone has, but there comes a time when it ends. Football is like life; something begins and ends.
“I've had a great time. We've won a lot, and it will be a memory for life.
“The day I arrived [for the second time], if they told me I'd win 11 titles in four years, I'd sign it with my own blood. It's been an unforgettable time.”
This season has been a huge disappointment for Ancelotti and Real. They have been beaten an unprecedented four times by rivals Barcelona – including 4-0 and 5-2 thrashings in La Liga and the Spanish Supercup final.
A 3-2 loss in the Copa del Rey final followed in April before Sunday's 4-3 defeat at the Olympic Stadium all but handed Barcelona the title.
Real's reign as European champions was ended at the quarter-final stage by English Premier League side Arsenal after a comprehensive 5-1 defeat over two legs.
Leaking goals has been a problem all season, not helped by a defensive crisis that has seen Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, David Alaba, and Ferland Mendy all picking up serious, long-term injuries.
Centre-half Antonio Rudiger has been out of action since undergoing knee surgery last month, while French midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, who has filled in at left-back, will not play again this season after tearing the tendon in his left abductor muscle.
At the other end of the pitch, summer signing Kylian Mbappe tops the La Liga scoring charts with 27 goals – including a hat-trick against Barca at the weekend – while notching 38 times across competitions.
But Mbappe's arrival has also upset Real's attacking balance. Jude Bellingham has failed to reach the heights of his debut season which saw him score 23 goals. The England international has been forced into a more withdrawn role, seeing his goal tally drop by 10.
Fellow forward Rodrygo has seen his role diminish to the extent that Marca reported that he refused to come on as a substitute in Sunday's Clasico and wants to leave this summer.
The Brazilian then hobbled out of Tuesday's training session ahead of the Mallorca match.
“Rodrygo had a fever last week, which prevented him from returning at his best, even though he tried to grit his teeth,” Ancelotti insisted. “He felt pain in his leg. We need to assess him to see what's wrong.
“The rest is just speculation. Everyone here has a special affection for Rodrygo, especially me.”
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Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
How to come clean about financial infidelity
- Be honest and transparent: It is always better to own up than be found out. Tell your partner everything they want to know. Show remorse. Inform them of the extent of the situation so they know what they are dealing with.
- Work on yourself: Be honest with yourself and your partner and figure out why you did it. Don’t be ashamed to ask for professional help.
- Give it time: Like any breach of trust, it requires time to rebuild. So be consistent, communicate often and be patient with your partner and yourself.
- Discuss your financial situation regularly: Ensure your spouse is involved in financial matters and decisions. Your ability to consistently follow through with what you say you are going to do when it comes to money can make all the difference in your partner’s willingness to trust you again.
- Work on a plan to resolve the problem together: If there is a lot of debt, for example, create a budget and financial plan together and ensure your partner is fully informed, involved and supported.
Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
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RedCrow Intelligence Company Profile
Started: 2016
Founders: Hussein Nasser Eddin, Laila Akel, Tayeb Akel
Based: Ramallah, Palestine
Sector: Technology, Security
# of staff: 13
Investment: $745,000
Investors: Palestine’s Ibtikar Fund, Abu Dhabi’s Gothams and angel investors
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
MATCH INFO
Juventus 1 (Dybala 45')
Lazio 3 (Alberto 16', Lulic 73', Cataldi 90 4')
Red card: Rodrigo Bentancur (Juventus)
Profile of VoucherSkout
Date of launch: November 2016
Founder: David Tobias
Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers
Sector: Technology
Size: 18 employees
Stage: Embarking on a Series A round to raise $5 million in the first quarter of 2019 with a 20 per cent stake
Investors: Seed round was self-funded with “millions of dollars”
RESULTS
Bantamweight:
Zia Mashwani (PAK) bt Chris Corton (PHI)
Super lightweight:
Flavio Serafin (BRA) bt Mohammad Al Khatib (JOR)
Super lightweight:
Dwight Brooks (USA) bt Alex Nacfur (BRA)
Bantamweight:
Tariq Ismail (CAN) bt Jalal Al Daaja (JOR)
Featherweight:
Abdullatip Magomedov (RUS) bt Sulaiman Al Modhyan (KUW)
Middleweight:
Mohammad Fakhreddine (LEB) bt Christofer Silva (BRA)
Middleweight:
Rustam Chsiev (RUS) bt Tarek Suleiman (SYR)
Welterweight:
Khamzat Chimaev (SWE) bt Mzwandile Hlongwa (RSA)
Lightweight:
Alex Martinez (CAN) bt Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR)
Welterweight:
Jarrah Al Selawi (JOR) bt Abdoul Abdouraguimov (FRA)
Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
The biog
Name: Fareed Lafta
Age: 40
From: Baghdad, Iraq
Mission: Promote world peace
Favourite poet: Al Mutanabbi
Role models: His parents
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EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Lowdown
Us
Director: Jordan Peele
Starring: Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseqph, Evan Alex and Elisabeth Moss
Rating: 4/5
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
The five pillars of Islam
Zayed Sustainability Prize
How it works
Booklava works on a subscription model. On signing up you receive a free book as part of a 30-day-trial period, after which you pay US$9.99 (Dh36.70) per month to gain access to a library of books and discounts of up to 30 per cent on selected titles. You can cancel your subscription at any time. For more details go to www.booklava.com
BULKWHIZ PROFILE
Date started: February 2017
Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce
Size: 50 employees
Funding: approximately $6m
Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait
