Carlo Ancelotti: historic change as the Selecão's first coach!

Carlo Ancelotti: historic change as the Selecão's first coach!

In a historic move, Carlo Ancelotti has reached an agreement with the Brazilian Football Association and will become the first foreign coach of the Brazilian national team, also known as the Seleção, from June 2024. The announcement was officially announced by Brazilian Football Federation President Ednaldo Rodrigues. This marks the beginning of a new era in Brazilian football, which is seen as a significant turning point, as in the association's more than 100-year history, this will be the first foreign coach to lead the fortunes of the national team. Ancelotti will also become the highest-paid coach in Brazil's history, as Kosmo reports.

The Italian coach has worked at Real Madrid for the past four years and will officially end his role there on June 30, 2024. Ancelotti will lead the Selecao into the 2024 Copa América, which will take place in the USA from June 20 to July 14. Before Ancelotti took office, Fernando Diniz was hired as interim coach for a year. Diniz remains coach of the first division club Fluminense from Rio de Janeiro and will be officially introduced at a press conference. These steps show that the Brazilian association is actively working on a smooth transition from Diniz to Ancelotti, as Sky Sport reported.

Complex negotiations and reactions

Negotiations between Ancelotti and the Brazilian Football Association dragged on for several months. The breakthrough came when an association representative was spotted at the Copa del Rey final in Seville. This shows the federation's interest in a move, even though Ancelotti himself expressed displeasure that the federation claimed he had already agreed to the offer while his contract with Real Madrid is still valid for the current season. The signing of the contract is still pending and has not yet been officially announced out of respect for Real Madrid. It remains to be seen whether Ancelotti will take legal steps to sign with the Brazilian association in time for January 2024.

Reactions to Ancelotti's impending move have been mixed. While many Brazilians acknowledge that Ancelotti's experience and success in international football could be an asset to the Seleção, others are skeptical. Critics fear a break with the tradition of employing local coaches and worry about the identity of Brazilian football. A general consensus would be necessary to gain popular support, especially before major tournaments such as the Copa América.

Uncertain successor at Real Madrid

The question of Ancelotti's successor at Real Madrid remains unresolved. Xabi Alonso and Jürgen Klopp are being discussed as possible candidates, with Madrid sports newspaper Marca confirming that Ancelotti's decision represents a momentous event for the club and national team. These changes also cast a shadow over the future personnel decisions of Europe's top clubs, while Luka Modric is in complicated contract negotiations with Real Madrid. The experienced player wants to extend his contract for another year while the club considers a possible separation.

The developments surrounding Ancelotti, the Seleção and the challenges ahead will shape the next few months. Brazil had high hopes for this new beginning, while at the same time the long-term vision of Brazilian football remains under discussion.