May 13 – The Brazilian Football Association (CFB) has confirmed the appointment of out-going Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti as the country’s new head coach.
The Italian becomes the first foreign manager to take charge of Brazil’s men’s national team, the most successful international entity with five World Cup titles.
Ancelotti will see out the current season with Real Madrid, who lost a crunch match in the LaLiga title race against Barcelona on Sunday, before taking command of Brazil ahead of June’s World Cup qualifiers when they will face both Paraguay and Ecuador.
He is contracted to lead the five-time world champions until the 2026 World Cup which will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The 65-year-old will reportedly earn €5million if Brazil claims a sixth crown next summer, in addition to his monthly salary of €634,800.
Ancelotti boasts an incredible resumé in European club football having won the UEFA Champions League, Europe’s premier club competition, on five occasions. However, this will be the Italian’s first attempt at international management.
In a statement, the CBF wrote: “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 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.”
The appointment comes at the right time for CBF President Ednaldo Rodrigues, who has been under immense pressure in Brazil following an investigative article in the magazine Piaui exposed how the governing body is run.
Congresswoman Daniela Carneiro had asked the country’s Supreme Court (STF) to remove Rodrigues from his role because of an alleged forged signature by former CBF President Coronel Nunel on a document that legitimised Rodrigues’s 2022 election.
The Supreme Court and judge Gilmar Mendes, an ally of Rodrigues, sent the case to Rio de Janeiro where a court had been due to hear Nunes on Monday. A decision is expected later this week.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1747172539labto1747172539ofdlr1747172539owedi1747172539sni@i1747172539tnuk.1747172539ardni1747172539mas1747172539