Legendary Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti of Real Madrid is reportedly planning to depart the Spanish club soon to assume the head coaching role for the Brazilian national team, targeting the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. According to The Athletic, Ancelotti`s exit from Real Madrid is anticipated at the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, specifically before this summer`s Club World Cup in the United States. The report suggests he will join Brazil, though his contract is not expected to be long-term. He is reportedly set to take charge for the World Cup qualifiers commencing this summer.
Despite recent setbacks, including a UEFA Champions League quarterfinal exit and a 3-2 defeat to FC Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday, the Spanish giants remain contenders for the La Liga title. They currently sit second in the standings, four points ahead of the team managed by Hansi Flick. A significant upcoming fixture is the `El Clásico` against Barcelona on May 11 in Barcelona, which could be Ancelotti`s final encounter against their rivals as Real Madrid coach.
Sources indicate the Brazilian FA is currently in discussions with Ancelotti`s representatives regarding contract terms. Reports suggest a Brazilian FA ambassador was present at the Copa del Rey final in Sevilla. Uncertainty remains whether Real Madrid and the Brazilian FA will reach an agreement to terminate Ancelotti`s current deal early, and also whether Ancelotti himself will select the squad for Brazil`s World Cup qualifiers in June. Brazil is currently on track to qualify for the next World Cup, despite a recent 4-1 loss to Argentina in their last qualification match. They are scheduled to play Ecuador and Paraguay in June, which could mark Ancelotti`s first games managing Brazil. Notably, Brazil is the only nation to have qualified for every single World Cup tournament.
Ancelotti stands among the most successful managers in football history, having secured 31 major trophies throughout his career across Italy, France, Germany, Spain, and England. He is the only manager to have won league titles in all five major European leagues and holds the record for the most UEFA Champions League titles (five) and UEFA Super Cup titles (five). Adding a major trophy with a national team like Brazil would undoubtedly represent another significant achievement in the illustrious career of this highly influential football figure.
Dominic Ashworth