Zico hails Ancelotti as ideal coach to revive Brazil's World Cup ambitions
KASHIMA, May 30 — Carlo Ancelotti's track record of getting the most out of Brazilian players makes him the best man to take the national team back to the top, football legend Zico told AFP.
The Italian Ancelotti has vowed to make five-time World Cup winners Brazil champions again next year after becoming the first non-Brazilian to coach the side in six decades.
He nurtured Brazilians such as Vinicius Junior at Real Madrid, helping to turn the 24-year-old from a figure of fun because of his inconsistent end product into one of the Spanish league's biggest stars.
Zico is one of the best players ever to pull on Brazil's iconic yellow shirt and believes Ancelotti's understanding and experience make him the ideal man for the job.
'Ancelotti played with Brazilian players, he has been a champion coach with Brazilian players at several teams and he's always praised Brazilian players and put them in a position to help him,' Zico told AFP in Japan, where the 72-year-old is an adviser to J. League club Kashima Antlers.
'He has a great understanding, he loves football and his approach to football is very much in line with Brazilian thinking.
'So I think he can be successful for this reason, he can help Brazilian players thrive with his knowledge, his ability and his expertise.'
At 65, Ancelotti has five Champions League titles under his belt and has managed the cream of Europe's clubs including Juventus, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.
He is taking the reins of a national team for the first time and becomes Brazil's first foreign-born manager since 1965.
Zico says Brazilian coaches are no longer in vogue around the world, pointing to declining numbers of his compatriots in former hotspots like Africa, Saudi Arabia and Japan.
Qualifying in balance
Zico, who has coached in several countries including Uzbekistan, Iraq and India, believes the Brazilian federation had little choice but to look overseas.
'Now is not a good time for Brazilian coaches, not just in Brazil but all over the world,' he said.
'Now, when it comes to the Brazil team, if you're going to bring someone in, bring the best. As I see it, Brazil brought the best.
'For me he's the best, so I don't see anything to complain about.'
Brazil have yet to clinch their place at next year's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and are currently fourth in the South American qualifying table.
Ancelotti is their fourth coach since Tite stepped down following the quarter-final loss to Croatia at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The Italian faces some tricky fixtures in World Cup qualifying, with games at Ecuador and Bolivia still to come.
But Zico believes Brazil can be one of the main contenders for the trophy if they avoid the unthinkable and book their place in the tournament.
'I think Brazil have a chance if Ancelotti manages to do a good job in the short time he has,' he said.
'I think Brazil could become one of the contenders for the title. Why not? I don't see any team in the world today as favourites.' — AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
29 minutes ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Doue dazzles as PSG humble Inter 5-0 to win Champions League final
PSG's Achraf Hakimi scored his side's opening goal during the Champions League final between Paris Saint Germain and Inter Milan. (AP pic) MUNICH : Teenager Desire Doue scored twice to inspire Paris St Germain to their first European Cup triumph with a crushing 5-0 victory over Inter Milan on Saturday, the biggest winning margin in the final of the continent's premier club competition. After losing the 2020 final to Bayern Munich, Luis Enrique's PSG side, who teetered on the brink of elimination in the league phase, finally claimed the trophy their Qatari owners have craved since taking over the French capital club in 2011. PSG's young team achieved what the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe could not do in their colours as they became only the second French side to win the trophy after Olympique de Marseille in 1993. 'Making history was a goal from the start of last season,' Luis Enrique said. 'I really felt a connection with the players and the fans, a very strong connection that we saw throughout the season. We were able to handle the tension and excitement in the best possible way.' PSG put on a masterclass which the more experienced Inter team had no answer to, scoring twice in the opening 20 minutes through former Inter defender Achraf Hakimi and Doue. The 19-year-old Doue was on target again in the 63rd minute, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored 10 minutes later and substitute Senny Mayulu netted three minutes from time to complete the rout in Munich. Before kickoff the Italian fans sang 'There's Only Inter', the club's anthem, but on the pitch their side went missing and PSG ran riot to secure a richly deserved win. PSG bossed the game from the start, maintaining possession with their slick passing, every player constantly searching for an opening, which they found in the 12th minute when Vitinha played a pass into Doue in the box. Inter defenders appealed for offside but Federico Dimarco played the PSG man onside and the youngster kept his cool to roll the ball across goal and hand Hakimi the simplest of tap-ins. 'We have made history, we have written our names in the history of this club,' Hakimi said. 'For a long time this club deserved it, we are very happy. We have created a great family.' The second came eight minutes later from a quick PSG counter which found Ousmane Dembele on the left wing. Dembele drove forward before floating the ball to the far side and Doue had time to control the ball on his chest and his shot took a deflection off Dimarco to beat the wrong-footed Yann Sommer. Game over Inter had to try to attack in the second half but PSG killed off the game with a third goal when Vitinha slid the ball through to Doue in the area and the 19-year-old coolly slipped the ball past Sommer. Inter were shell-shocked but things only got worse. Dembele's defence-splitting pass from his own half sent Kvaratskhelia haring away before beating Sommer at his near post, a goal which brought the PSG bench, including Luis Enrqiue, onto the pitch. Luis Enrique became the second manager, after his former Barcelona teammate Pep Guardiola, to win the continental treble of League, Cup and Champions League in one season twice, both winning their first with Barca and their second by beating Inter. 'He is the man who has changed everything at PSG. Since he came here, he has changed the way football is seen. He is a loyal man, he deserves it more than anyone else,' Hakimi said. PSG still had time for a fifth as Mayulu fired past Sommer from close range after a pass from substitute Bradley Barcola and the final whistle was greeted with huge roars from the French fans who had been singing loudly all game. Inter had high hopes of making up for their defeat two years ago by Manchester City in Istanbul but finished the season trophyless. 'It absolutely didn't feel like my Inter out there, and the players are the first to know it, but I'm proud of the journey we've taken,' Inter manager Simone Inzaghi said. Luis Enrique, visibly emotional after the final whistle and wearing a T-shirt with a tribute to his daughter Xana who died in 2019, has turned PSG from a side of superstars into a group of humble players finally playing as a team.
The Sun
33 minutes ago
- The Sun
Doue Stars as PSG Win First Champions League Title
TEENAGE STAR Desire Doue topped off a dream season by scoring twice in a stunning performance as Paris Saint-Germain comprehensively beat Inter Milan 5-0 in Saturday's Champions League final. 'I don't have the words. It is a dream come true. It is just magnificent,' Doue told broadcaster Canal Plus in a brief interview as delirious PSG fans invaded the pitch at the Allianz Arena after seeing their team win the trophy for the first time. No player embodies the youthful energy and dynamism of Luis Enrique's thrilling PSG side quite like Doue, who has enjoyed a remarkable campaign and has now announced himself to the wider world with his display in Munich. Doue's masterclass, which came only three days before his 20th birthday, saw him set up Achraf Hakimi for PSG's early opener. He then became just the third teenager to score in the final of the modern Champions League as he made it 2-0 on the night. The French international followed in the footsteps of Patrick Kluivert, who was still 18 when he netted for Ajax in 1995, and the Brazilian Carlos Alberto Gomes, a 19-year-old scorer for Porto in 2004. Doue later scored again before being brought off to rapturous applause and seeing another teenager get on the scoresheet, substitute Senny Mayulu wrapping up the victory with the fifth goal a fortnight after turning 19. 'What we have done today is magical. We have made French and Europan football history and I am so pleased with how everything has gone this season,' Doue said after what was the biggest ever win by any club in the final. An astonishing season for PSG following talisman Kylian Mbappe's departure has seen them win Europe's elite club competition for the first time after also completing a domestic league and cup double. It has been an especially remarkable year for Doue, whose dazzling feet recall former PSG superstar Neymar at his very best. Doue joined PSG from Rennes in August for a reported 50 million euros ($56.7m), signing a five-year deal. He had made 76 appearances for Rennes across the previous two campaigns, getting his debut aged 17 in August 2022. Olympic silver to European glory Yet Doue needed time to settle into his new surroundings, not least having played for Thierry Henry's France team on their run to the final of the Paris Olympics. He started just four games for Luis Enrique's side in the first four months of the season, including in a 2-0 defeat by Arsenal. However, his progress from mid-December onwards was startling and coincided with a remarkable run of form by his team. Doue has become a regular starter, and played a key part in Luis Enrique's team getting to the final, including scoring the first goal in a 3-0 win at Salzburg in December which kickstarted their European campaign. He then converted the decisive kick in the penalty shoot-out against Liverpool in the last 16 before also scoring a superb goal against Aston Villa in the quarter-finals. Talented by name Doue, whose name appropriately translates as 'talented', finishes the campaign with 15 goals and 16 assists in 54 appearances. 'It is my first season here, and it was a dream when I came here to win (the Champions League). Great players have played here and not won it but we have shown incredible collective strength and it is just magnificent,' he said. 'I needed time to adapt to playing for Paris Saint-Germain but I have great players alongside me and that helps me get better every day. 'We still have great things to try to achieve with this club.' Doue expressed excitement about the prospect of returning to Paris to celebrate during a planned parade down the Champs-Elysees, but he will have to quickly get back to work. His elder brother Guela, with whom he played at Rennes, plays international football for Ivory Coast, the land of their father's birth. Desire, meanwhile, had his progress since moving to PSG rewarded when he was given his senior France debut in March. He will return to Germany to represent France in next week's UEFA Nations League finals, before jetting off with PSG to the United States as they chase more silverware in the Club World Cup.
The Sun
39 minutes ago
- The Sun
Teenager Doue caps dream season by starring in PSG's Champions League triumph
TEENAGE STAR Desire Doue topped off a dream season by scoring twice in a stunning performance as Paris Saint-Germain comprehensively beat Inter Milan 5-0 in Saturday's Champions League final. 'I don't have the words. It is a dream come true. It is just magnificent,' Doue told broadcaster Canal Plus in a brief interview as delirious PSG fans invaded the pitch at the Allianz Arena after seeing their team win the trophy for the first time. No player embodies the youthful energy and dynamism of Luis Enrique's thrilling PSG side quite like Doue, who has enjoyed a remarkable campaign and has now announced himself to the wider world with his display in Munich. Doue's masterclass, which came only three days before his 20th birthday, saw him set up Achraf Hakimi for PSG's early opener. He then became just the third teenager to score in the final of the modern Champions League as he made it 2-0 on the night. The French international followed in the footsteps of Patrick Kluivert, who was still 18 when he netted for Ajax in 1995, and the Brazilian Carlos Alberto Gomes, a 19-year-old scorer for Porto in 2004. Doue later scored again before being brought off to rapturous applause and seeing another teenager get on the scoresheet, substitute Senny Mayulu wrapping up the victory with the fifth goal a fortnight after turning 19. 'What we have done today is magical. We have made French and Europan football history and I am so pleased with how everything has gone this season,' Doue said after what was the biggest ever win by any club in the final. An astonishing season for PSG following talisman Kylian Mbappe's departure has seen them win Europe's elite club competition for the first time after also completing a domestic league and cup double. It has been an especially remarkable year for Doue, whose dazzling feet recall former PSG superstar Neymar at his very best. Doue joined PSG from Rennes in August for a reported 50 million euros ($56.7m), signing a five-year deal. He had made 76 appearances for Rennes across the previous two campaigns, getting his debut aged 17 in August 2022. Olympic silver to European glory Yet Doue needed time to settle into his new surroundings, not least having played for Thierry Henry's France team on their run to the final of the Paris Olympics. He started just four games for Luis Enrique's side in the first four months of the season, including in a 2-0 defeat by Arsenal. However, his progress from mid-December onwards was startling and coincided with a remarkable run of form by his team. Doue has become a regular starter, and played a key part in Luis Enrique's team getting to the final, including scoring the first goal in a 3-0 win at Salzburg in December which kickstarted their European campaign. He then converted the decisive kick in the penalty shoot-out against Liverpool in the last 16 before also scoring a superb goal against Aston Villa in the quarter-finals. Talented by name Doue, whose name appropriately translates as 'talented', finishes the campaign with 15 goals and 16 assists in 54 appearances. 'It is my first season here, and it was a dream when I came here to win (the Champions League). Great players have played here and not won it but we have shown incredible collective strength and it is just magnificent,' he said. 'I needed time to adapt to playing for Paris Saint-Germain but I have great players alongside me and that helps me get better every day. 'We still have great things to try to achieve with this club.' Doue expressed excitement about the prospect of returning to Paris to celebrate during a planned parade down the Champs-Elysees, but he will have to quickly get back to work. His elder brother Guela, with whom he played at Rennes, plays international football for Ivory Coast, the land of their father's birth. Desire, meanwhile, had his progress since moving to PSG rewarded when he was given his senior France debut in March. He will return to Germany to represent France in next week's UEFA Nations League finals, before jetting off with PSG to the United States as they chase more silverware in the Club World Cup.
