Carlo Ancelotti Appointed Head Coach of Brazil

Former Italian international Carlo Ancelotti is leaving arguably the most high profile coaching job in world football to the most high profile at the international level.

Ancelotti has agreed to take over as head coach of the Brazil national team, when his time in charge at Spanish giants Real Madrid comes to an end this month.

He’s under contract with Madrid until next year, but its expected to be terminated at the end of the season.

The Brazil’s soccer confederation said on Monday it has a deal with Ancelotti eyeing the 2026 World Cup.

The 65-year-old Ancelotti, who will be Brazil’s first full-time foreign coach in a century, is still under contract with Madrid.

The last round of the Spanish league will be on May 25 and the CBF said in a statement that he will officially take over Brazil the following day.

Ancelotti will take charge of Brazil’s next two fixtures in South American World Cup qualifiying, with his debut at Ecuador on June 5 and five days later in front of home fans against Paraguay in Sao Paulo.

He will replace Dorival Júnior, who held the job for 14 months and was fired in March after a 4-1 defeat at Argentina.

Brazil lags in 4th position in World Cup qualifying after 14 matches and has its 33-year-old star Neymar still in difficulties to return to top form after an ACL injury in 2023.

The top six teams will secure direct spots in next year’s tournament.