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New York Times
15-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Carlo Ancelotti to Brazil is confirmation of Italy's peerless coaching heritage
Maybe it won't truly sink in until Carlo Ancelotti slips his feet into the warm sand of Ipanema, a cigar — perhaps the same brand he once shared with Vinicius Junior — smouldering as the sun sets over Rio de Janeiro. Over the past two decades, Ancelotti has become a global figure of the global game, to the point where it's easy to forget his origin story — a tale that feels almost 19th-century in nature: the son of a farmer from Reggiolo, Italy, setting off to build a better life in South America. Advertisement That's what Vicente Feola's family did, too. The father of Brazil's first World Cup-winning coach in 1958 came from Castellabate, a beautiful hilltop village down from the Amalfi coast. He left, as many other Italians did, for Sao Paulo, the city with the largest population with Italian ancestry in the world. The cultural ties between Italy and Brazil are profound and yet, in football terms, whenever they have played one another, the game has been framed as a clash of civilisations. In the football canon, they are supposed to be polar opposites — winning ugly versus the beautiful game. Success by different means. This year, old and already outmoded stereotypes have been turned on their heads. It began with Ajax appointing Roberto De Zerbi's former assistant, Francesco Farioli, as coach. Not enough was made of that at the time. Ajax — the club of Johan Cruyff, who identified himself as diametrically opposed to Italian football with quips like: 'Italians can't beat you, but you can lose to them' — turned to an Italian not to change who they are, but to make them Ajax again. Whether the football Ajax have played has constituted a revival or not, it was a pinch-yourself moment for Italian football, as the hierarchy in Amsterdam looked at the 36-year-old from Tuscany and recognised itself in him. The Brazilian Football Federation has done the same with Ancelotti. 'An Italian will teach the game to the Gods of football,' Luigi Garlando wrote in Gazzetta dello Sport. On the one hand, this should not come as a surprise. The most successful nation in international football has turned to the most successful coach in club football. Ancelotti is not the first foreigner to manage Brazil's national team, and although they have not gone non-native since Nelson Ernesto Filpo Nunez, an Argentinian, in 1965, Brazilian football was — at club level, at least — trending in this direction. Brazilian teams have contested seven of the past eight finals in the Copa Libertadores — South America's equivalent of the Champions League. Four have won under Portuguese coaches: Jorge Jesus, Abel Ferreira (twice) and Artur Jorge. Wolves' Vitor Pereira also recently had spells with Corinthians and Flamengo. As such, when Brazil decided to go for a non-Brazilian for the first time in 60 years, it was perhaps a little startling that it was for an Italian — and not one of them. Advertisement An Italian! What ruination. To be clear, that's not how the great Zico described Ancelotti's appointment. Nor is it, as a former Udinese player, his actual view of Italian football. Rather, he sees it as the impact of Brazil's 1982 World Cup defeat to Italy and that Paolo Rossi hat-trick. That 3-2 loss, which brought elimination at the second group stage, caused Brazil to reflect. They doubted themselves and their style. They felt the need to become less Brazilian and more Italian — tougher, more physical, more ruthless. 'If we had won that match,' Zico told newspaper Corriere della Sera, 'football would probably have been different. Instead, after that, we began to lay the foundations for a style of football in which results must be achieved at any cost, a style based on destroying the opponent's game and systematic foul play.' In 1994, Brazil won the World Cup final in the United States after a penalty shoot-out. They beat opponents Italy at what they felt was their own game — a tense, nerve-shredding, action-less 120 minutes. But that wasn't Italy's game, as Ancelotti well knows. His first job in coaching was to serve as Arrigo Sacchi's assistant at that tournament. Sacchi had been hired to implement his countercultural style to Italy — the high-pressing, on-the-front-foot, winning-isn't-enough-on-its-own mentality of his era-defining and immortal Milan side. Although it was never translated to the national team, it goes to show that the stereotypes about both football cultures were as dead then as they are ahead of another World Cup in North America next year. In an age of globalisation (albeit one in apparent retrenchment), styles that once developed in isolation have now largely converged. If Ancelotti's Italianness has been overlooked in the coverage of this appointment, it may be because — more than any of his peers — he has come to embody the role of a global citizen. He is as comfortable talking about walking along the beach in Crosby, during his time as Everton manager, as Copacabana. Advertisement After Italy failed to qualify for the previous World Cup in 2022, he supported Canada instead, having spent time in the homeland of his wife, Mariann — bear-watching and salmon-fishing — while between jobs. A coach who has won all five of Europe's top domestic leagues, Ancelotti has adapted to every context, every culture. A man of the world, a man for every circumstance, it's not just what he knows, it's the way he connects. It's the fact he relates and how he relates. While it is odd that a man who has written whole books about tactics, has reinvented players, and has balanced unbalanced teams in novel formations (the Christmas Tree) is often thought of as light on tactics, it is this ability to relate — through experience, in a calm and understated but charismatic manner — that makes the difference. You feel it in his presence, which is why if you're not in his office, at the training ground, and in the dressing room, some — from a distance — find it hard to put their finger on what makes him great. Have no doubts, Ancelotti will feel as at home in Brazil as in Italy. He is a polyglot who likes to say that of all the languages he speaks (four), it's his native tongue which is getting worse. Far more than catenaccio — a methodology ingrained by Helenio Herrera, an Argentine-Moroccan, at Inter in the 1960s — what is innately Italian is the ability to bring Italy to the world. Call it the Marco Polo element or the Xeneizes streak (Buenos Aires dialect for the Genovese immigrants who settled there and founded Boca Juniors): Italians export themselves and one of their greatest exports is coaching. At the European Championship last summer, five of the 24 competing nations were managed by Italians. More Italian coaches have won the Premier League title than any other nationality. Advertisement Brazil, by contrast, exports players like no other country in the world. Ancelotti joining Brazil is therefore a case of two great producers joining forces — one compensating for the other's deficits. Italy no longer produces players like Brazil does. One of the theories behind this is that Italian kids have the football coached out of them too soon — by the next class of wannabe Ancelottis — when Ancelotti himself has always tried not to get in the way of talent. Brazil, meanwhile, no longer produces coaches like Italy, perhaps because the opposite dynamic is occurring — coaches don't coach, for fear of curbing the instincts of the next Vinicius Jr or Endrick. By the same token, the success of Jesus at Flamengo and Ferreira at Palmeiras sparked a trend of hiring Portuguese coaches. While it may have initially filled a gap in Brazilian coaching talent, the fashion for them could now be obstructing pathways. Until the next Mario Zagallo or Luiz Felipe Scolari emerges, Brazil will have to make do with arguably the greatest manager of all time. After reaching three consecutive World Cup finals in 1994, 1998 and 2002, Brazil haven't won the tournament in nearly a quarter of a century and have now hired a European to, in part, help ensure they stop being eliminated by European nations; some of which — take Belgium, for instance (best not to mention Croatia) — have a smaller population than Sao Paulo. Ancelotti is also the European who knows Brazil's best players better than anyone and handles the uber-talented like nobody else on the planet. If he ends that wait and adds the World Cup to all those league titles, as well as the five Champions Leagues he has won as a coach to go with his two as a player, a football man who should already be recognised as standing above everyone else will be on the shoulders of Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado. An Italian in charge of Ajax?! An Italian in charge of Brazil?! Football worlds have collided, yet the last time anyone checked, the Earth is still turning like nothing has happened. Maybe because these football worlds aren't too different after all.
Mint
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Mint
Carlo Ancelotti appointed as new Brazil national football team head coach, set to exit Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti has been appointed as the head coach of the Brazil national team. The Real Madrid coach will replace Dorival Júnior, who held the job for a tenure of 14 months before getting sacked in March after the team faced a 4-1 defeat at Argentina. Ancelotti is set to leave the club at the end of May. The Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) has wanted Ancelotti to coach Brazil for a long time. They even tried to hire him last summer, but he stayed with Real Madrid. "The greatest national team in the history of football will now be led by the most successful coach in the world. Carlo Ancelotti, synonymous with historic achievements, was announced by the president of the CBF, Ednaldo Rodrigues, as the new coach of the Brazilian national team. He will lead Brazil until the 2026 World Cup," CBF stated on a social media post. 'Bringing Carlo Ancelotti to lead Brazil is more than a strategic move. It is a statement to the world that we are determined to reclaim the top spot on the podium. He is the greatest coach in history and now he is leading the greatest national team on the planet. Together, we will write new glorious chapters for Brazilian football,' said the president of the CBF, Ednaldo Rodrigues. Ancelotti will be the coach for Brazil in the FIFA World Cup 2026 if it qualifies. The first match that the team will play under him would be the World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay in June. Interestingly, he is the first foreigner to become Brazil's head coach. After 14 games, Brazil is fourth in the standings for the World Cup qualification. Will they make it to the top six teams securing direct spots in next year's tournament is something to watch out for. Ancelotti is leaving as Real Madrid's most successful coach ever. The team has won 15 titles under his guidance. However, he will leave the 2024-25 season without a trophy. He has had a tough season with the club after losing in the Champions League to Arsenal and the Copa del Rey final to Barcelona. The 65-year-old Italian will leave Real Madrid on good terms. The club will pay him an amount worth his yearly salary, €11 million. This is because his contract was supposed to last until 2026. Ancelotti will also become a lifetime club ambassador and will stay connected to Real Madrid. Xabi Alonso, a former Real Madrid player who coached Bayer Leverkusen and guided them to a German title, is one of the best choices to replace Ancelotti. Another option for the position is Raúl González, a Real Madrid legend.
NBC Sports
12-05-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Carlo Ancelotti to become Brazil's new head coach
The Brazilian Football Federation have announced that Carlo Ancelotti will become the new manager of their men's national team in June 2025. Ancelotti, currently the manager of Real Madrid, will take charge of Brazil for their 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay in June 2025. His contract in charge of the Selecao will last through the end of the 2026 World Cup. This news comes less than 24 hours after Real Madrid lost 4-3 at Barcelona in La Liga to basically end their title hopes as Barca are so close to becoming champions of Spain. No statement has arrived from Real Madrid on this announcement, yet, but with Xabi Alonso announcing last week that he will step down as Bayer Leverkusen manager it is widely expected that Alonso will replace Ancelotti and become the new Real Madrid manager. Brazil statement on Carlo Ancelotti becoming their new manager 'The greatest national team in the history of football will now be led by the most successful coach in the world. Carlo Ancelotti, synonymous with historic achievements, was announced this Monday by the president of the CBF, Ednaldo Rodrigues, as the new coach of the Brazilian national team. 'He will lead Brazil until the 2026 World Cup and will already coach the team in the next two qualifying games against Ecuador and Paraguay, next month. ''Bringing Carlo Ancelotti to lead Brazil is more than a strategic move. It is a statement to the world that we are determined to reclaim the top spot on the podium. He is the greatest coach in history and now he is leading the greatest national team on the planet. Together, we will write new glorious chapters for Brazilian football,' said Ednaldo Rodrigues, president of the CBF.' Is this a good decision for Ancelotti and Brazil? It has seemed inevitable for quite some time that Carlo Ancelotti would make this move to Brazil and it will be intriguing to see how he gets on in international management. Brazil are yet to qualify for the 2026 World Cup but they are very close and Ancelotti knows so many of their star players as he's coached Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Eder Militao and Endrick with Real Madrid. Ancelotti is a serial winner and no manager has won more UEFA Champions League titles than his five. This feels like a fitting final chapter for him to lead Brazil at the 2026 World Cup and his nous, experience and connection with Brazil's stars should get the best out of them.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
🤝 Deal done, Ancelotti to become Brazil's new manager
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here. Minutes ago, The Athletic confirmed that everything is set with the Brazilian Football Federation for the Italian to take on his role on May 26th."Carletto" will leave Real Madrid after his last La Liga match of the season against Real Sociedad. He will then sign a contract with the verdeamarela until the end of the 2026 World Cup. Meanwhile, the merengue team is moving to finalize the last details with Xabi Alonso. 🚨🤍 Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid, here we go! Story confirmed and deal sealed for Xabi as new manager until sorted, contract in place and three year deal for Alonso with Real planning for him to start at FIFA Club World farewell soon, then Xabi era. 🎞️ — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 12, 2025 Fabrizio Romano today gave the Here We Go! and the man from Tolosa will take charge of the team as soon as Ancelotti leaves, to arrive in the best way possible at the Club World Cup. 📸 LLUIS GENE - AFP or licensors
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
🤝 Deal done, Ancelotti to become Brazil's new manager
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here. Minutes ago, The Athletic confirmed that everything is set with the Brazilian Football Federation for the Italian to take on his role on May 26th. Advertisement "Carletto" will leave Real Madrid after his last La Liga match of the season against Real Sociedad. He will then sign a contract with the verdeamarela until the end of the 2026 World Cup. Real Madrid has already chosen Meanwhile, the merengue team is moving to finalize the last details with Xabi Alonso. Fabrizio Romano today gave the Here We Go! and the man from Tolosa will take charge of the team as soon as Ancelotti leaves, to arrive in the best way possible at the Club World Cup. 📸 LLUIS GENE - AFP or licensors
