Carlo Ancelotti as savior of an entire nation

Drums, chants, and posters: When Carlo Ancelotti arrived at a hotel in Rio's upscale Barra da Tijuca district, dozens of fans in yellow and green jerseys prepared a welcome for him that only pop stars or world champions usually receive. The new Brazilian national coach briefly introduced himself wearing a yellow baseball cap, smiled, and waved.

June 03, 2025

From: dpa

A few hours later, the 65-year-old, dressed in a suit, appears before the press: "It's an honor and a great pride to coach the national team, which is the best in the world," he says. The goal is the long-awaited sixth World Cup title – "an enormous responsibility that I gladly accept."

Ancelotti's arrival creates a sense of optimism – but the reality is sobering: Brazil's national team has been in crisis for years. Since winning the 2002 World Cup, the football-mad country has been waiting for its sixth star.

He won everything

After the disappointing quarterfinal exit at the 2022 World Cup against Croatia, the Seleção is in turmoil, both sportingly and structurally. Since Tite, Brazil has gone through three coaches – most recently, Dorival Júnior was sacked after a 1-4 defeat in World Cup qualifying against arch-rivals Argentina. With 21 points, Brazil currently sits in fourth place. They are six points clear of the relegation zone, with four games remaining.

Carlo Ancelotti led a training session in Sao Paulo on Monday. © APA/afp / NELSON ALMEIDA

Ancelotti now arrives as one of the most successful football coaches of all time: five Champions League titles, championships in all five top European leagues. No one before him had achieved this. But despite his long and unprecedented career, the Italian is now breaking new ground: This is his first assignment as a national coach.

“I always had a strong connection to this country” Carlo Ancelotti

Ancelotti is also a historically unique appointment for the Seleção: If he takes the sidelines as planned against Ecuador and Paraguay (June 5 and 10), he would be the first foreign coach in a Seleção World Cup qualifier. There have been non-Brazilian coaches before, but mostly only on an interim basis and for short periods.

"I've always had a strong connection to this country," says the Italian, who most recently worked with Brazilians Vinicius Júnior, Rodrygo, and Éder Militão at Real Madrid. He also previously coached Brazilian stars such as the 2002 World Cup winners: Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, and Kaká. The latter was named World Player of the Year under Ancelotti at AC Milan in 2007 and believes: "He can be the engine that drives us forward."

Between doubt and confidence

Ancelotti's arrival also marks a new beginning at the national association level. Following the ouster of CBF President Ednaldo Rodrigues, 41-year-old Samir Xaud took office at the end of May. He announced his intention to build a "modern and participatory" association. After years of political infighting, the Seleção is to regain a clear direction.

For the first World Cup qualifiers under his leadership, Ancelotti selected young talents like Estêvão, but initially omitted Neymar and Rodrygo for health reasons. Veterans like Casemiro also returned. The mix of experience and future prospects should bring new energy. "All the quality we have" must be brought to the pitch quickly, Ancelotti demands. "With attitude, commitment, and sacrifice from everyone."

“Why doesn’t he solve Italy’s problem?” President Luiz Inácio Lula (2023)

Many fans, former players, and the press welcomed the Italian's appointment as the new coach. Expectations for him are high. But in a country caught between football passion and disappointment, skepticism remains. Two years ago, when Ancelotti was first being considered, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva asked: "Why doesn't he solve the problem of Italy, which didn't even participate in the last World Cup?"

And so in the end only one question remains – an expression with which Brazilians express hope and doubt at the same time: “Agora vai?” – Maybe this time?

Schlagwörter: Soccer Brazil Carl Ancelotti Rio de Janeiro National coach