Brazil signs Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti one year before 2026 World Cup

3 months ago 22

SAO PAULO (AP) — Coach Carlo Ancelotti will leave Real Madrid and take over Brazil through the 2026 World Cup.

The Italian — Brazil's first full-time foreign coach in a century — will officially take charge on May 25 after La Liga ends, the Brazilian Football Confederation said on Monday. Details of the deal were not released.

"Bringing Carlo Ancelotti to coach Brazil is more than a strategic movement. It is a statement to the world that we are determined to recover the top of the podium," CBF President Ednaldo Rodrigues said.

"He is the greatest coach in history and, now, he will be with the greatest national team on the planet. Together, we will write new glorious chapters of Brazilian soccer."

There was no immediate comment on the move from Ancelotti or Real Madrid.

The CBF added "Ancelotti starts his mission this week" in meetings with coordinator-general Rodrigo Caetano and former defender Juan, the confederation technical coordinator, so he can pick his squad for the next World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay in June.

Ancelotti is expected to announce the squad himself in Rio de Janeiro on May 26, the CBF said.

Brazil — a five-time world champion — was under pressure to sign a new coach who could revitalise the team, which is in fourth place in South American qualifying for the World Cup. Neymar is struggling to return to top form after an ACL injury in 2023. The top six teams secure direct spots to the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada.

Ancelotti, 65, will replace Dorival Júnior, who was the coach for 14 months and was fired in March after a 4-1 defeat to archrival Argentina.

Brazil's TV Globo reported Ancelotti has already called Neymar and midfielder Casemiro to discuss the team's future.

A CBF source told The Associated Press that Ancelotti will live in Rio and travel to Europe whenever he sees fit. The source spoke on condition of anonymity for lack of authorisation to discuss the matter publicly.

"He already knows the players in Europe, he wants to know more about those in Brazil making it to the national team," the source said.

The source added there's no clause in Ancelotti's contract assuring the deal will be extended to the 2030 World Cup, though "that is a possibility."

Ancelotti's contract with Madrid ends next year but Rodrigues said its expected to be terminated early. The CBF president in a video thanked Real Madrid president Florentino Perez "for the comprehension, dialogue and support that made this transaction possible."

Former Madrid player Xabi Alonso is widely expected to replace Ancelotti at Real Madrid after he confirmed his departure from Bayer Leverkusen.

Real Madrid reportedly wants Alonso in place in time for the Club World Cup in the United States, which starts on June 14.

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