Goodbye Carletto: Ancelotti makes history while ending Madrid story

The Carlo Ancelotti–Brazil saga is finally over. The Italian coach has reached an agreement with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) to take charge of the national team starting May 26, once the La Liga season concludes, the CBF announced. After a lengthy back-and-forth that began in 2023, CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues has fulfilled one of his biggest ambitions.

“Bringing Carlo Ancelotti to lead Brazil is more than a strategic decision – it’s a declaration to the world of our determination to return to the top of the podium. He is the greatest manager in history, and now he’s taking charge of the best national team on the planet. Together, we’ll write new glorious chapters for Brazilian football,” said Rodrigues.

As previously reported by Diario AS, the CBF president had been hoping to finalize the deal with the Italian coach earlier this week. Ancelotti finally reached an agreement on Monday and will begin his new role in June, during the international break. He has signed a deal through the 2026 World Cup, with an option to extend through 2030. His son, Davide Ancelotti, will not be part of the new setup – choosing instead to begin his own managerial career.

Although Ancelotti still had one year remaining on his contract with Real Madrid, he will not see it out. He replaces Dorival Júnior as Brazil’s head coach. The CBF has honored Ancelotti’s wish to wait until his title hopes in La Liga had been extinguished before putting pen to paper. His first match in charge will be against Ecuador on June 6, in the 15th round of South American qualifiers, followed by his home debut in São Paulo on June 10, when Brazil face Paraguay.

Ancelotti now closes his second spell at Real Madrid as the most successful coach in the club’s history, walking away with 15 trophies: three Champions Leagues, three UEFA Super Cups, one Intercontinental Cup, two Club World Cups, two La Liga titles, two Spanish Super Cups and one Copa del Rey. He was also named World’s Best Coach in the 2013–14, 2021–22 and 2023–24 seasons.

A historic first: foreign coach at the helm

Ancelotti becomes the first foreign coach to lead Brazil in the national team’s 111-year history – until now, every manager had been Brazilian. The weight of that legacy will rest on his shoulders the moment he pulls on the Canarinha tracksuit.

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