The relationship between Carlo Ancelotti and the Brazilian national team is marked by frustrated expectations, complex negotiations, and a back-and-forth of speculation that has lasted more than two years.
Since Tite’s departure after the 2022 World Cup, the CBF has tried to fulfill the dream of having the renowned Italian coach at the helm of the five-time world champion team.
In 2024, that dream seemed to have ended, with the Real Madrid coach declining and Dorival Jr. taking over the national team.
However, with Real Madrid’s elimination from the Champions League by Arsenal, Ancelotti’s name returned strongly to the Brazilian radar, in yet another chapter of this story full of twists and turns.
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The beginning of the approaches between Ancelotti and the Brazilian national team
The controversy over the negotiation between Ancelotti and the Brazilian national team officially began in June 2023, when the CBF, under the leadership of president Ednaldo Rodrigues, even announced the coach’s arrival to the national team.
According to the entity, the CBF and the coach had reached a verbal agreement for him to take charge of the Brazilian national team starting in June 2024, after the end of his contract with Real Madrid.
The plan was for Ancelotti to take over starting from the 2024 Copa América in the United States and lead the team at the 2026 World Cup.
During this waiting period, the team would be led on an interim basis by Ramon Menezes.
According to Veja magazine, the agreement between the parties even included a “commitment term” signed by Ancelotti, although it had no legal validity since the Italian still had a contract with Real Madrid.
“Carlo Ancelotti will be the new coach of the Brazilian national team. Not now, but in a year, when the 2023/24 season in Europe ends and his contract with Real Madrid is up,” Veja reported at the time.
The agreement would mark a milestone for Brazilian football, which has never been led by a foreign coach-and not just any, but the coach with the most Champions League titles.
Read also: [TOP 13] Best football coaches in history: records and titles
Controversies and contradictory statements
While the CBF showed confidence in the agreement, Ancelotti maintained a cautious stance in his public statements.
In July 2023, during Real Madrid’s pre-season in Los Angeles, the coach categorically denied any deal:
“I’m not going to talk about Brazil, about what will happen. I am the coach of Real Madrid and I will stay here. I will never speak about this subject again,” he told journalists.
This statement signaled that the relationship between Ancelotti and the Brazilian national team was not as advanced as the CBF made it seem, but the Brazilian entity remained confident in the supposed verbal agreement with the coach.
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The coach’s renewal with Real Madrid
The major break in expectations in the Ancelotti and Brazilian national team saga occurred in December 2023, when Real Madrid surprised by announcing the renewal of Carlo Ancelotti’s contract until June 2026, completely frustrating the CBF’s plans.
The renewal coincided with a turbulent moment at the CBF, involving the removal of Ednaldo Rodrigues from the presidency of the entity by court decision. According to rumors, this scandal may also have influenced the coach’s decision to remain at the Spanish club.
Read also: 6 scandals at the CBF in 2025: dossier with a summary of the entity’s controversies so far
Ancelotti’s statements and the Brazilian national team
In January 2024, with the contract already renewed, Ancelotti spoke openly about the situation with the Brazilian national team:
“I had contact with the president of the Brazilian Football Confederation, Ednaldo Rodrigues. I want to thank him for his affection and interest in having me coach the Brazilian national team, it made me very proud. But it depended on my situation at Real Madrid, and that is clear to everyone.”
Galvão Bueno’s relationship with Ancelotti and the Brazilian national team
In April 2025, commentator Galvão Bueno made a surprising revelation in an interview with Romário. According to him, the idea of hiring Ancelotti came from a suggestion he made to the CBF president:
“This whole Ancelotti mess that’s already been going on for two and a half years… And sometimes I lose sleep because I think I have some blame in this,” said Galvão.
Check out below an excerpt from the interview, in which Galvão claims to have suggested Ancelotti to the president.
The commentator recounted that, before the Brazil vs. South Korea match (at the 2022 World Cup), Ednaldo Rodrigues invited him to lunch where they discussed the future of the national team.
The “romance” resurfaces after Real Madrid’s elimination
With all the controversy between Ancelotti and the Brazilian national team that happened in 2024, you would imagine that this dream was over, right? And for a good while, it really seemed there was no hope. But it looks like we were wrong!
Real Madrid’s elimination in the Champions League quarterfinals to Arsenal, in April 2025, reignited speculation about Ancelotti’s future.
In fact, after the elimination, English TV Sky Sports even reported that Ancelotti would leave Real Madrid right after the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona.
According to Globo’s sports portal, the CBF considers it “a matter of time” before a deal with Carlo Ancelotti and the Brazilian national team is finalized, for him to take over as early as the June FIFA window.
But could it be just another false alarm? Well, after the frustration of 2023, when Ancelotti renewed with Real Madrid, in 2025, negotiations were resumed with the Spanish club’s knowledge, and now even the formation of the coaching staff is being discussed.
The Italian coach is expected to bring as assistants his son Davide Ancelotti and Francesco Mauri, as well as the desire to include a former Seleção player and promote a Brazilian in the physical preparation. Names for these roles are already being discussed, but nothing is set.
Plan B: Jorge Jesus for the Brazilian national team
While negotiations with Ancelotti continue, the CBF maintains a plan B to avoid another soap opera. According to Globo Esporte, the entity is in talks with Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, currently at Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia.
According to ESPN, “Jorge Jesus has become the CBF’s top priority for the position of coach of the Brazilian national team,” especially if negotiations with Ancelotti do not progress.
After more than two years of back-and-forth, the saga between Carlo Ancelotti and the Brazilian national team seems to be heading toward a conclusion. And you, what do you think will happen?
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