Calm at the edge of the field, Carlo Ancelotti has already reached the empyrean of European football with Real Madrid. And it is a challenge to his immense measure that awaits him with Brazil, of which he will take the lead in 2024: to bring a notoriously feverish “Seleçao” back to the roof of the world. “Carlo never gets angry,” said his former player Paolo Maldini. And yet, the 64-year-old Italian will have to set the record straight, because the hope he carries is gigantic since it is a question of offering the Brazilian selection their sixth world title which will has been leaking since 2002.
It is the 2026 World Cup that Brazil is aiming for with Ancelotti, even if the latter will take up his post at the Copa America next year (June-July) in the United States, at the end of his contract with Real. . With a fourth Champions League won with the “White House” in 2022 and a cabinet overflowing with 26 trophies, his recruitment is one of the best possible for Brazil. By the Copa, it is Fernando Diniz, the technician of Fluminense (Brazilian D1) who will take over.
Quiet strength
“Carletto” will thus replace Tite, who has only been replaced by temporary workers since his resignation last winter, after the bitter failure in the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Qatar. Eliminated by Croatia on penalties, the “Auriverde” nevertheless advanced as favorites, despite a good intermittent game. On the land of Pelé, legend who died on December 29, Carlo Ancelotti is thus expected as the “quiet force” who will put the most successful nation in history in the World Cup (5 times) back on the path to success.
His famous raised left eyebrow betrays a phlegmatic technician. An essential quality for managing egos, in a team where he will find Vinicius, Rodrygo and Eder Militao, but will above all have to deal with the Neymar case, if he continues his international career. Ancelotti was a choice of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). Its president, Ednaldo Rodrigues, absolutely wanted him “for his record, but also because he is a good person”, he explained on the beIN Sports channel.
In 2014, Rodrigues had also traveled to Madrid to meet him, while “Il Mister”, nickname of Ancelotti, was in his first term with Real (2013-2015 and since 2021). In his book “The quiet leader” published in 2016, the “Monsieur” in question details a method all in philosophy. “Your job is not to motivate the talents (they have to find the motivation in themselves), your job is not to demotivate them”.
“Gentle Big Bear”
A native of Reggiolo (northern Italy), Ancelotti likes to be close to his players, posing with a cigar in his mouth with those of Real after the triumph in C1, or even calling them “friends”. Maldini, again, describes a “nice big bear” incapable of bloodshed: “It can only happen when he’s eating, because once he’s got a fork, it takes an army to stop him!” Cultivating his good nature, “Carletto” became last season the first coach in history to win the five major European football championships, gleaning the La Liga which he lacked with Madrid. “After Real yes, I probably stop, he said. But if Real keeps me here for ten years, I will train for ten years”.
However, he chose to pursue his career, on another continent moreover, he who has trained at least one great team in each major European championship: AC Milan (2001-2009, two C1), Paris SG (2011 -2013), Chelsea (2009-2011) and Bayern Munich (2016-2017). The Seleçao bench will nevertheless be the first experience in the national team as coach of this needy former midfielder, who played with Italy (26 caps, 1 goal).
“He’s the best coach in the world,” said Vinicius, however, who has become one of the best in his position under Ancelotti. “When you have a clear conscience for having done your best, it is never a failure”, philosophized the person concerned. But beware of him! Because in the country of football any other result than a sixth star, will be reproached to him.