Ancelotti appointed as first-ever international Brazil head coach in the Selecao’s history with him to take charge on 26th May.
Carlo Ancelotti appointed as first foreign manager of Brazil men’s team in a century,
The 65-year-old Italian will depart Real Madrid at the conclusion of the Spanish domestic season to take up his first international coaching position, following months of conjecture. In a statement released on Monday, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced the news, greeting Ancelotti, whom they called a “legend” of the sport, and expressing enthusiasm for “a new era of success” under his direction.
On May 26, the day following Real Madrid’s season-ending league matchup with Real Sociedad, Ancelotti will take over his new position. Los Blancos lost 4-3 to their fiercest rivals on Sunday, dropping them to second place in La Liga, seven points behind Barcelona.
“This landmark moment sees the coming together of two icons – the only five-time Fifa World Cup champions and a coach with an unmatched record across Europe’s elite competitions,” the federation said in a statement. “The CBF extends its sincere gratitude to Real Madrid and [the club president] Mr [Florentino] Pérez for the cordiality and sportsmanship shown in facilitating the coach’s release during his contract term, allowing this new chapter to begin with mutual respect and cooperation between the teams.”
Most people believe that Xabi Alonso will take Ancelotti’s place at the Bernabéu. After leading Bayer Leverkusen to the Bundesliga title and a German Cup double the previous season, the Spaniard, who played for Madrid from 2009 to 2014, declared on Friday that he will depart the team at the end of this campaign. It is expected that Alonso will take over as manager of Madrid in time for their appearance at the recently expanded Fifa Club World Cup, which will be held in the United States this summer.
With an unrivalled resume in the European club game, Ancelotti will travel to South America. As a manager, he has won the Champions League a record five times, including twice with Milan and three times during two stints with Real Madrid. In addition, he has won domestic championships with Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich.
In 1925, Ramón Platero led them for four games while two other men, Filpo Núñez of Argentina and Joreca of Portugal, coached them in non-competitive games. The 2002 World Cup winner Rivaldo once insisted that “the Seleção is ours and has to be managed by someone who has Brazilian blood running through his veins,” demonstrating the long-standing opposition to a non-Brazilian assuming the position.