Carlo Ancelotti has officially been appointed as the new manager of Brazil’s men’s national team, a historic move that sees him become the first foreign manager to take sole charge of the national squad since 1925. This announcement comes on the heels of months of speculation regarding Ancelotti’s future, and it marks a significant shift in his coaching career, as he prepares to leave Real Madrid at the conclusion of the Spanish domestic season to embark on his inaugural journey in international football management.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) made the announcement through a formal statement, which praised Ancelotti as a “legend” of football, celebrating his exemplary track record in club competitions and expressing enthusiasm for what they see as a “new era of success” under his leadership. The CBF emphasized this moment as a unique partnership between two sporting powerhouses: Brazil, renowned for its remarkable history as the only nation to win the FIFA World Cup five times, and Ancelotti, who boasts an unrivaled coaching resume in Europe’s elite leagues.
In their statement, the CBF also extended heartfelt gratitude to Real Madrid and its president, Florentino Pérez, for their collaboration and sportsmanship in allowing Ancelotti to transition away from the club while respecting the terms of his contract. Ancelotti is set to assume his responsibilities with the Brazilian national team on May 26th, just one day after Real Madrid’s final league match of the season against Real Sociedad. As it stands, the team occupies second place in La Liga, trailing behind their fierce rivals, Barcelona, by seven points after suffering a dramatic 4-3 defeat in their latest encounter.
As Ancelotti steps into this role, Xabi Alonso has been confirmed as his successor at Real Madrid. The former midfielder, who enjoyed a successful stint with the club from 2009 to 2014, recently announced his decision to leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the current Bundesliga season. Under Alonso’s leadership, Leverkusen achieved remarkable success, including winning the Bundesliga title without a loss and securing a German Cup double last season. He is expected to be in place ahead of Real Madrid’s participation in the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup, which will take place this summer in the United States.
Ancelotti’s departure for South America comes as he brings with him an impressive track record, having won the UEFA Champions League a record five times as a manager—three times with Real Madrid and twice with AC Milan. He is regarded as one of the most successful managers in football history since, in addition to his Champions League triumphs, he has won numerous domestic league titles with some of the most prominent teams in Europe, such as Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich.
