Brazilian FA chief confirms interest in appointing Carlo Ancelotti

By Ben Sully | 26 March 2023

Brazilian FA chief confirms interest in Ancelotti

The president of the Brazilian FA Ednaldo Rodrigues confirms interest in appointing Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti as the new national team head coach.

The president of the Brazilian FA (CBF) Ednaldo Rodrigues has confirmed that Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is an obvious candidate to become Brazil's new manager.

Brazil are still looking for a permanent head coach after Tite left his position following the country's quarter-final exit at the 2022 World Cup.

Ramon Menezes is currently in temporary charge, and he oversaw Saturday's friendly against Morocco, where a Casemiro spot kick could not prevent the Selecao from falling to a narrow 2-1 defeat.

As preparations begin for the Copa America in 2024 and the 2026 World Cup, Brazil will be keen to appoint a new manager sooner rather than later.

Reports earlier this year claimed that discussions took place with Ancelotti over the role, but the Real Madrid boss and the Brazilian FA both denied that any agreement had been reached.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti with assistant coach Davide Ancelotti before the match on October 5, 2022 © Reuters

However, Ancelotti continues to be linked with the vacant managerial position, and the president of the Brazilian FA has now confirmed their interest in the 63-year-old.

"Ancelotti is unanimously respected among players," Rodrigues told Reuters. "Not only Ronaldo Nazario or Vinicius Jr but all those that have played for him.

"I really admire him for his honesty in the way he works and how constant his work is. He needs no introductions. He is really a top coach who has several achievements and we hope he can have even more."

Real Madrid and Brazil winger Vinicus Jr is one of a number of players who have recently stated that Ancelotti would be a good fit as Brazil boss.

Prior to Saturday's friendly with Morocco, the 22-year-old said: "For me, it's really hard to talk about it because if I have him with Brazil I would lose him in Real Madrid, and if I have him with Real Madrid I would not have him with Brazil.

Brazil's Vinicius Junior celebrates their fourth goal on December 5, 2022 © Reuters

"Ancelotti is the best coach I ever had. He is very fond of me and that sentiment is mutual. I believe he would be very helpful here as he is in Real Madrid."

Ancelotti, who has never managed a national side, is currently under contract with Los Blancos until June 2024.

Since returning to Real Madrid as a manager in 2021, Ancelotti has won La Liga, the Spanish Super Cup, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup.

With Real Madrid 12 points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona, Los Blancos have two realistic chances of adding to their trophy cabinet before the end of the season.

They need to turn around a 1-0 deficit in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final tie with Barcelona, while they will face Chelsea in the last eight of the Champions League.