Carlo Ancelotti (foto: Getty Images)
Carlo Ancelotti explains why he chose Brazil over Italy as he begins his new role as manager of the Seleção.
Carlo Ancelotti has officially begun his new adventure as head coach of Brazil’s national team, and during his unveiling in Rio de Janeiro, he addressed one of the most anticipated questions: why Brazil and not Italy?
"No one from the Italian federation ever contacted me. And besides, Italy already has a great coach—my friend Luciano Spalletti," said Ancelotti in front of 250 journalists at a press conference held in both Portuguese and Italian, to which the Italian tactician responded in Spanish.
Ancelotti, who turns 66 in June, revealed that he had previously been approached about coaching Italy, but at the time, he wasn’t ready to give up day-to-day coaching. That moment has now arrived—and with it, a new challenge at the helm of the most successful national team in World Cup history, with five titles.
"I’m incredibly proud to become the head coach of Brazil. With five World Cups, they are the most successful team in the world. Now, it’s my responsibility to bring home a sixth title," said Ancelotti.
Italian media also quizzed him about the decline of the Azzurri, who missed the last two World Cups in 2018 and 2022.
"That depends on which generation you get lucky with. In football, there are cycles. At the 1982 World Cup, Brazil had the best team—with Zico, Sócrates, Falcão, Éder…—but Italy won. It was a combination of talent, hard work and sacrifice. I believe both Italy and Brazil will be contenders at the next World Cup," he assessed.
Ancelotti joins Brazil at a crucial moment, with the team currently fourth in the South American qualifiers, behind Argentina, Ecuador and Uruguay. The top six teams qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup. His first matches in charge will come in June, when Brazil face Ecuador and Paraguay.
The veteran coach arrives with an unrivalled résumé—having won league titles in all of Europe’s top five leagues, and five Champions League trophies. Over his illustrious career, he has managed clubs like Parma, Juventus, Milan, PSG, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Napoli, and Everton.