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The Hindu
3 days 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.'
Eyewitness News
3 days 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."
France 24
3 days ago
- Sport
- France 24
Zico says Ancelotti just the man to take Brazil back to the top
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.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Zico says Ancelotti just the man 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 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. "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." amk/pst JUVENTUS FOOTBALL CLUB
Straits Times
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Second batch of Singaporean coaches start Japan training stint under Unleash The Roar initiative
(From left) Coaches Ratna Suffian, Nazri Nasir and Miur Rafik Taha will be attached to clubs in Japan till the end of the year. PHOTO: UNLEASH THE ROAR! SINGAPORE – Just two weeks into his stint as an assistant coach for Japan's J2 club Ventforet Kofu, former Young Lions coach Nazri Nasir already has his heart won over by the professional set-up and football culture. The 54-year-old said that he wants to stay for an extra year, even if it is to coach a youth team. 'My target is to continue another year, to take one of the youth teams here. If I get a chance to stay here another year, whether it's a J2 or J3 team, I am okay. This is my goal, I want to learn Japanese and I've got an interpreter here to teach me… I want to take a team (here) one day,' said Nazri. He is one of three coaches who will spend the rest of the year on attachment with clubs. They form the second batch of the Coach Overseas Attachment (COA) programme, an initiative under the Unleash The Roar! national football project. Nazri Nasir says that he wishes to stay on for another year, even if it is to coach a youth team. PHOTO: VENTFORET KOFU Geylang International women's head coach Ratna Suffian and Singapore Sports School coach Miur Rafik Taha will join J1 side Tokyo Verdy, following the footsteps of Tanjong Pagar United coach Noh Alam Shah and former Singapore international Isa Halim, who had a six-month attachment in 2024. Nazri is part of the backroom staff at Ventforet, who are based in Yamanashi prefecture, and will serve as assistant coach to head coach Shinji Otsuka. When asked how he was adapting, Nazri said: 'Excellent man, superb. I really enjoy myself here. I experienced a lot of new things, a lot of things to see, and I enjoy that… I love this place. 'For challenges, (probably) the language, but more or less, when they talk about football, whatever they say, I can understand. Football language I'd know, even if they speak in Japanese.' One thing that stood out for him is the work ethic that he has seen among the players there. Nazri added: 'I see the difference discipline-wise. During the game or training, they show a lot of commitment. They show a lot of desire and everybody is fighting for their place. 'And during training, the intensity is top notch. Normally, we train for about 80 to 90 minutes, (but) no need to tell them what to do, everybody will (stay back) and do something to improve themselves for 45 minutes to an hour. Maybe the Japanese players' mindset is like that. But I don't see (players from) clubs in Singapore doing that, not really for 45 minutes.' Ratna shared his sentiments, saying: 'Individualised training is a big thing. A lot of the players actually stay on after training to hone their craft, even (things) as simple as basic passing. 'This is something that is a culture for them. They really spend a lot of effort trying to improve things that they are weak in. 'Of course, there are people back in our league that are doing this as well, but I think that they (the Japanese) do it at another different level. They do it in high intensity and that's how they get better.' Ratna hopes to be able to observe the level of women's football while in Japan. The 46-year-old said that he has seen some of the Tokyo Verdy Beleza (women) team train and looks forward to getting more insights to develop players from the youth team to J1. Marcus Tan, Sport Singapore's chief of sport development group, said: 'We are heartened by Tokyo Verdy's continued support for the second season of the COA programme. 'Their dedication to fostering meaningful coaching exchanges have been instrumental in shaping valuable learning experiences for our coaches. At the same time, we are appreciative of the strong support provided by Ventforet Kofu in this initiative. 'Together with both clubs, we look forward to building stronger football ties with Japan while raising the standards of coaching excellence in Singapore.' Melvyn Teoh is a sports journalist at The Straits Times. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
