Latest news with #Ancelotti
The Hindu
11 hours ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Zico backs Ancelotti to take Brazil back to the top
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 winner Brazil champion 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. ALSO READ | Ancelotti's first Brazil squad: Neymar out, Casemiro back for 2026 Qualifiers '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 is yet to clinch its place at next year's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and is currently fourth in the South American qualifying table. ALSO READ | Marta returns to Brazil national team for friendlies against Japan Ancelotti is its fourth coach since Tite stepped down following the quarterfinal 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 it avoids the unthinkable and book its 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.'
Malay Mail
12 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
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
New Straits Times
13 hours ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Zico: Ancelotti just the man to take Brazil back to the top
KASHIMA, Japan: 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. 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.
Eyewitness News
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Eyewitness News
Ancelotti to leave Real Madrid for Brazil job
RIO DE JANEIRO - Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti will leave the club at the end of the season to take charge of the Brazil national team, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced Monday. The 65-year-old Italian will become Brazil's first foreign coach since 1965, with Xabi Alonso set to be appointed as the new Real Madrid boss after confirming his exit from Bayer Leverkusen last week. "The greatest national team in the history of football will now be led by the most successful coach in the world," said the CBF in a statement. "He will lead Brazil until the 2026 World Cup and will coach them in their next two qualifying matches against Ecuador and Paraguay next month." Ancelotti will be the fourth non-Brazilian to coach Brazil. The last was Argentine Filpo Nunez who was in charge for one game 60 years ago. Brazil sacked Dorival Junior after a 4-1 thrashing by Argentina in March and are fourth in the South American qualifying table for the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada. "Bringing Carlo Ancelotti to lead Brazil is more than a strategic move - it's a statement to the world that we are determined to regain the top spot on the podium," said CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues. "He's the greatest coach in history and now he's in charge of the greatest team on the planet. "Together, we will write glorious new chapters for Brazilian football." Record five-time World Cup winners Brazil last won the trophy in 2002, enduring more than two decades of disappointment since then. Rodrigues had tried to lure Ancelotti to Brazil two years ago after Tite stood down as coach following a quarter-final exit at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. That bid fell apart in December 2023 when Ancelotti extended his contract with Madrid, forcing Brazil to turn to Dorival after the team struggled under Fernando Diniz in his brief spell at the helm. Eighteen months on from Dorival's appointment, Ancelotti leaves Madrid with a year left on his contract as one of the club's most successful managers, winning 15 trophies across two spells with Los Blancos, including a La Liga and Champions League double last season. In his first spell at Real Madrid he led them to La Decima in 2014 - their 10th Champions League triumph. He has won the competition three times with Los Blancos. After being sacked in 2015 he returned six years later when Zinedine Zidane resigned to lift the trophy again in 2022 and 2024. Ancelotti has also led Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich among other teams, including AC Milan with whom he won the Champions League twice as a coach in 2003 and 2007. The Italian is the coach who has won the European Cup most often, triumphing on five occasions - two more than Zidane, Pep Guardiola and Bob Paisley. GLITTERING CAREER At Real Madrid, Ancelotti has coached Brazil stars Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes and Eder Militao, as well as teenage talent Endrick. The coach will leave Madrid on May 25 after the club's final La Liga match of the season, against Real Sociedad. Madrid are set to finish the season empty-handed after losing the Clasico at Barcelona on Sunday to fall seven points behind their league leading arch-rivals. Ancelotti will oversee Madrid's home game against Mallorca on Wednesday and the trip to Sevilla on May 18, departing before the Club World Cup this summer in the US. The coach has won league titles in the five major European leagues, in Spain, England, Italy, Germany and France across a 30-year managerial career. Spanish media reported Monday that Leverkusen coach Alonso is set to take over at Real Madrid on June 1, ahead of the Club World Cup. Madrid's first match is against Saudi side Al Hilal in Miami on 18 June.
Eyewitness News
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Eyewitness News
Zico says Ancelotti just the man to take Brazil back to the top
KASHIMA - 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."
