Carlo Ancelotti, the legendary coach of Real Madrid, is set to stand trial next week in Spain for alleged tax fraud. Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of four years and nine months, accusing the 65-year-old Italian of failing to declare over one million euros ($1.1 million) in income from image rights between 2014 and 2015.
The trial is scheduled to begin on Wednesday and is expected to last two days, according to a spokesperson for the Madrid court handling the case. Ancelotti will be required to attend the hearings in person.
Spanish prosecutors allege that Ancelotti only declared his salary from Real Madrid in his tax returns for those years, despite claiming tax residency in Spain and listing Madrid as his home.
Furthermore, they accuse him of using a complex network of shell companies to conceal additional earnings from image rights and other sources, including real estate.
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The case against Ancelotti first emerged in 2023, when a Spanish court ordered him to stand trial but had not yet set a date. When asked about the allegations last year, Ancelotti dismissed them as “an old story that I hope will be resolved soon.”
Ancelotti first took over as Real Madrid’s manager in 2013, leading the club to Champions League glory before departing in May 2015. He then went on to coach Bayern Munich, Napoli, and Everton before making a triumphant return to Real Madrid in 2021.
Beyond his legal troubles, Ancelotti remains one of the most accomplished managers in football history. He holds the record for the most Champions League titles won by a coach, with five triumphs—three with Real Madrid and two with AC Milan.
His success extends beyond Europe’s elite competition, having secured domestic league titles in Spain, Italy, England, Germany, and France. While Ancelotti’s legacy as a football coach remains untouchable, this legal battle could cast a shadow over his career.
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