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What had been an open secret for weeks has just been made official: the Italian Carlo Ancelotti is leaving Real Madrid to become the new coach of Brazil.
This was announced on Monday by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), emphasizing that “the best national team in the history of football will now be led by the most successful coach in the world.”
Ancelotti becomes the first foreign coach to manage the canarinha, a position he will hold until the 2026 World Cup.
The Italian will train the team in the next two qualifying matches, against Ecuador and Paraguay, next month.
"Bringing Carlo Ancelotti to lead Brazil is more than just a strategic decision. It is a statement to the world of our determination to reclaim the top spot on the podium. He is the best coach in history, and now he leads the best national team on the planet. Together, we will write new glorious chapters for Brazilian football," declared Ednaldo Rodrigues, president of the CBF.
The announcement comes after Real Madrid's defeat this Sunday in the League Classic, which distances the team from the only title they could still compete for this season.
Ancelotti has managed Madrid in two separate terms and is the most decorated coach in the club's history.
On Sunday in the Clásico, he precisely reached his 350th match with Real Madrid, becoming the second coach with the most games in the history of the club after Miguel Muñoz (605), boasting a record of 247 wins, 50 draws, and 53 losses.
Over the course of six seasons, Ancelotti won 15 titles as the manager of Real Madrid: 3 Champions League titles, 3 Club World Cups, 3 UEFA Super Cups, 2 La Liga titles, 2 Copa del Rey trophies, and 2 Supercopa de España titles.
In the absence of official confirmation, his replacement in the position will be the Basque Xavi Alonso, who has been leading Bayern Leverkusen until now.
The player from Tolosa spent five seasons at Madrid (2009-2014), during which he captained the team on numerous occasions and was a key figure in achieving the long-awaited Tenth European Cup.
He led Leverkusen to win their first Bundesliga last season, a significant achievement in a championship dominated by Bayern Munich.
Frequently Asked Questions about Carlo Ancelotti and His New Role as Brazil's Head Coach
Why did Carlo Ancelotti leave Real Madrid to coach Brazil?
Carlo Ancelotti left Real Madrid to take up the role of coach for Brazil due to a combination of factors. Although he was the most decorated manager in the club's history, the recent season was marked by tactical instability and a lack of major titles, prompting the club to seek a change in direction. The Brazilian Football Confederation announced him as part of its strategy to regain worldwide prominence.
What does it mean for Brazil to have a foreign coach like Ancelotti?
Carlo Ancelotti is the first foreign coach to lead the Brazilian national team. His hiring is seen as a statement of intent by Brazil to reclaim its status as the best national football team. Ancelotti, known for his numerous successes at the club level, brings an international experience that Brazil hopes to capitalize on to write new glorious chapters in its football history.
What are Ancelotti's upcoming challenges with the Brazil national team?
Carlo Ancelotti will begin his tenure as the coach of Brazil by leading the team in the next two qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup, facing Ecuador and Paraguay. His main challenge will be to bring Brazil to the top of international football, starting with qualification and a strong performance in the 2026 World Cup.
Who will be Ancelotti's successor at Real Madrid?
The Basque Xabi Alonso has been confirmed as the new coach of Real Madrid. After a successful season with Bayer Leverkusen, where he won the Bundesliga, Xabi Alonso returns to the Madrid club, where he was a key figure as a player, to lead the team with a contract that extends until 2028.
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