Of course, Carlo Ancelotti, who has never been national team manager, should have hoped that it was his home country Italy that was the world’s best football nation.
A couple of weeks ago, the Italian manager was in London to sign with the Brazilian delegation that had traveled over, but on the way, Saudi Arabia was ahead and offered the club of his choice as long as it was the one that Cristiano Ronaldo plays for and a salary of 50 million euros a year for three years.
Read: Players who have crossed the El Clásico border between Real Madrid and Barcelona
Carlo Ancelotti will not go to bed hungry even if he says no thanks to Saudi Arabia. There are slightly different reports about what he will get between 8 and 10 million euros.
-CBF is proud to confirm that Carlo Ancelotti will be Brazil’s next national team coach. Mr Ancelotti, a legend in football history, will officially take over after the La Liga season ends, ahead of Brazil’s World Cup qualifier in June. His start date is May 26. The CBF warmly welcomes Ancelotti and looks forward to a new era of success under his leadership, writes the Brazilian Football Federation.
Carlo Ancelotti has never managed a national team, although on several occasions he has almost taken over Italy. It has long been an open secret that Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti will not complete the final year of his contract in the Spanish capital. After the defeat in El Clásico, and what many believe is the final end of the battle for the La Liga title, the pieces are in place for Ancelotti’s departure from the Santiago Bernabéu.
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After persistent rumours that Real Madrid could sack Ancelotti during the season, their fate seemed sealed after they crashed out of the Champions League against Arsenal. Even before the Copa del Rey final at the end of April, it was reported that his time at the club was over.
Agreement with Brazil for Ancelotti’s takeover
After it was reported last week that Ancelotti and Real Madrid had reached an agreement on his departure, it was confirmed by several sources this Monday that an agreement is in place for the Italian to take over as Brazil national team coach. This was officially confirmed by the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) on Monday afternoon.
President Ednaldo Rodrigues released a statement on Brazil’s official social media, calling Ancelotti the greatest coach of all time.
“Bringing in Carlo Ancelotti to lead Brazil is more than a strategic move. It is a declaration to the world that we are determined to take back the top spot on the podium. He is the greatest coach of all time, and now he will lead the biggest national team on the planet. Together we will write new glorious chapters for Brazilian football,” Rodrigues said.
First ever foreign Brazil coach
Ancelotti will be the first non-Brazilian coach to lead the Seleção in their 111-year history. He has signed a deal that lasts until the end of the World Cup in 2026, with an option to extend until the World Cup in 2030, according to Diario AS.
Ancelotti will leave Real Madrid after their last La Liga game on May 25 and will already be ready to take over Brazil’s qualifiers for the World Cup in South America against Ecuador and Paraguay. Xabi Alonso is expected to take over as Real Madrid coach in June.
Real Madrid’s most successful coach ever
Ancelotti leaves Real Madrid as the club’s all-time winningest manager, with one Copa del Rey, two La Liga titles and an impressive three Champions League titles. With a total of five Champions League titles, he is the most successful coach in the tournament’s history.
The Brazil job will be his first assignment as national team coach. If he completes the season, he will have led Real Madrid in 353 games over two periods.
Here is a list of the last 10 men’s World Cup finals, with the winners:
- 2022 (Qatar) – Argentina (won against France on penalties)
- 2018 (Russia) – France (won 4-2 against Croatia)
- 2014 (Brazil) – Germany (won 1-0 against Argentina after extra time)
- 2010 (South Africa) – Spain (won 1-0 against the Netherlands)
- 2006 (Germany) – Italy (won 5–3 on penalties against France)
- 2002 (South Korea/Japan) – Brazil (won 2–0 against Germany)
- 1998 (France) – France (won 3–0 against Brazil)
- 1994 (USA) – Brazil (won 3-2 on penalties against Italy)
- 1990 (Italy) – West Germany (won 1-0 against Argentina)
- 1986 (Mexico) – Argentina (won 3–2 against West Germany)
Next World Cup final: 2026 (USA, Mexico, Canada) – With Carlo Ancelotti at the helm, Brazil is again a favourite 😉⚽
The World Cup qualifier against Ecuador awaits on June 6. Congratulations!
