Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has reportedly agreed to take charge of the Brazilian national team, according to several Spanish media outlets on Monday.
The veteran Italian still has one year left on his contract with Real Madrid but appears set to leave following their Champions League quarter-final exit to Arsenal and Copa del Rey defeat to Barcelona.
Ancelotti has not hidden that a potential exit was on the cards and said his future was “a topic for the next weeks” after defeat by Barca on Saturday.
Reports suggest Ancelotti will assume his new role before the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in June, meaning he would depart Madrid ahead of the Club World Cup in the United States this summer.
Brazil had earlier dismissed Dorival Junior following a 4-1 defeat to Argentina and currently sit fourth in the South American qualifying table for the upcoming World Cup in the US, Mexico, and Canada.
Ancelotti had a successful tenure at Madrid, guiding the club to a Champions League and La Liga double last season, with Brazil stars Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes vital parts of the team, and is one of the most successful coaches in the club’s history.
In his first spell at Real Madrid he led them to La Decima — their 10th Champions League triumph.
He has won the competition three times with Los Blancos over two stints, sacked in 2015 but returning in 2021 after Zinedine Zidane resigned.
This season Madrid have been defensively fragile and trail La Liga leaders Barcelona by four points, with a title defence their only remaining hope of major silverware.
Ancelotti’s illustrious coaching career also includes stints at AC Milan, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain, among others. (AFP)
What you should know
Carlo Ancelotti, one of Real Madrid’s most successful managers, is set to lead Brazil’s national team after this season, aiming to guide them through the 2026 World Cup qualifiers following a disappointing campaign under Dorival Junior.
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