In a historic move, Carlo Ancelotti, the esteemed Italian coach, is set to bid farewell to Real Madrid and take on the role of Brazil’s national team coach through the 2026 World Cup. This significant announcement marks a milestone as Ancelotti becomes Brazil’s first full-time foreign coach in a century. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed that Ancelotti will officially assume his new responsibilities on May 25, following the conclusion of the La Liga season. While specific details of his contract were not disclosed, the CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues expressed that Ancelotti’s appointment is a strategic move aimed at steering Brazil back to soccer glory.
Rodrigues articulated the excitement surrounding Ancelotti’s recruitment, describing him as “the greatest coach in history” who will now team up with “the greatest national team on the planet.” Despite the official announcement, neither Ancelotti nor Real Madrid have commented publicly on the development.
Ancelotti’s introduction to his Brazilian duties begins with immediate strategic meetings alongside coordinator-general Rodrigo Caetano and former defender Juan, now the confederation’s technical coordinator. This collaboration is intended to aid Ancelotti in assembling his squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay in June, with an official squad announcement expected in Rio de Janeiro on May 26.
Brazil, the five-time world champions, is in dire need of the strategic prowess that Ancelotti brings. The team faces mounting pressure to secure a direct spot in the next World Cup, particularly with star player Neymar striving to regain peak form following an ACL injury in 2023. Ancelotti steps into the role formerly held by Dorival Júnior, who was dismissed in March after a disheartening defeat to Argentina.
Reports indicate that Ancelotti has already commenced dialogues with key players such as Neymar and Casemiro to discuss the team’s future direction. While spending significant time in Europe, Ancelotti plans to reside in Rio, considering travel as necessary.
The transition from Real Madrid to Brazil reflects a broader shift, with Xabi Alonso potentially succeeding Ancelotti at Real Madrid. Alonso’s departure from Bayer Leverkusen and the desire to have him lead during the upcoming Club World Cup highlight this transition, following a challenging season in which Real Madrid struggled to meet its high standards.
Since Tite’s departure after Brazil’s World Cup quarterfinal loss to Croatia in 2022, the national team has experienced instability in its coaching ranks. Interim stints by coaches Ramon Menezes and Fernando Diniz were marked by underperformance, prompting the pursuit of Ancelotti. Despite these adversities, Ancelotti remained committed to his duties at Real Madrid until recently.
Prior to Ancelotti’s appointment, Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus was a primary candidate for the Brazil coaching position. However, events led to Ancelotti’s eventual selection, with Neymar’s influence reportedly playing a role in steering the decision away from Jesus.
Ednaldo Rodrigues expressed gratitude to Brazilian supporters for their patience, amidst some skepticism within the country regarding Ancelotti’s timing and potential impact. Critics, including 1994 World Cup winner Muller, question whether Ancelotti will have enough time to build a formidable team, while others like TV Globo’s Ana Thais Matos highlight the challenge of instilling a winning mentality in the current generation of players.
This upcoming role will mark Ancelotti’s first stint as a head coach in international football. With an illustrious career as both a player and a manager in top European leagues, Ancelotti boasts unparalleled achievements, including five Champions League titles.
Although Brazil previously enlisted foreign coaches for short-term engagements, Ancelotti’s appointment symbolizes a longer-term commitment. Remarkably, he follows in the footsteps of a select few, such as Ramón Platero and Filpo Nuñez, who briefly led Brazil decades ago. Ancelotti becomes only the second person to coach both Real Madrid and Brazil, joining Vanderlei Luxemburgo.