The courting process has been a long one, but Carlo Ancelotti will lead the Brazil national team once his contract with Real Madrid expires in 2024, the Brazilian Football Federation announced. Interim coach Fernando Diniz has also been there called to take charge as an interim until Ancelotti can coach the team in the summer of 2024 in the Copa America. Without a permanent manager since Tite stepped down after the World Cup in November, Brazil has been focused on securing Ancelotti. Already coach of Vinicius Junior, Eder Militao and Rodrygo at Real Madrid, Ancelotti knows the key players in the squad and will maintain Brazil’s winning mentality when he joins.
Ancelotti will join in time for the Copa America to be held in the United States and is also expected to coach the team at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Brazil’s Ednaldo Rodrigues spoke at a press conference on Ancelotti’s appointment on Wednesday.
“He [Ancelotti] has already said when he can be here,” Rodrigues told reporters, though Ancelotti himself has yet to publicly confirm the deal.
Heading into pre-season with Real Madrid, this comes at an awkward time for both Ancelotti and the club. Each misstep raises the question of whether his head has been turned by Brazil’s looming bid and could even lead to an early exit from Madrid if results outside the gate aren’t great.
While last season was seen as something of a rebuild for Real Madrid, the expectation is still to win the league and get as deep into the Champions League as possible. Madrid is not waiting for anyone, not even a legend like Ancelotti, so performance will determine whether his exit will be on his terms in this unique situation.