Ancelotti would be the obvious choice, says CBF president – 03/26/2023 – Sports

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti would be an obvious choice to fill the vacancy as Brazil coach should the Italian become available at the end of the European season, Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) president Ednaldo Rodrigues told the Reuters.

After players in the squad, such as Vinicius Júnior, have declared their preference for the Italian, Rodrigues acknowledged that the 63-year-old coach is his main target in the market and everyone’s favorite to command Brazil, whose last coach, Tite, left office after Croatia’s 2022 World Cup elimination in the quarterfinals.

“Ancelotti is unanimously respected among the players. Not just by Ronaldo Nazário or Vinicius Júnior, but by all those who played with him”, said Rodrigues, also referring to former player Ronaldo, the Fenômeno.

“I really admire him for the honesty in the way he works and for the consistency of his results. He needs no introduction. He really is a top-level coach who has many achievements and we hope he can have even more.”

Ancelotti was one of the main topics of conversation this week in the locker room of the Brazilian national team before the friendly on Saturday (25) against Morocco —a 2-1 African victory—, with several athletes such as Vinicius Júnior, Ederson, Rodrygo and Casemiro praising the Italian .

But, according to Rodrigues, the obsession with Ancelotti has already caught on in Brazil as well.

“Let’s have faith in God, wait for the opportune moment and let’s see if we can achieve that objective in the search for the new coach of the Brazilian national team.”

Despite praising the Italian, Rodrigues highlighted that Brazil must be careful and respect protocols, as Ancelotti has a contract with Real Madrid until 2024.

He said that so far no formal contact or approach has been made by the CBF with Ancelotti or any other manager and that they will start talking to possible candidates in mid-April. The aim would be to announce the new coach by the end of May.

Rodrigues’ idea is to have the new coaching staff announced before the next break for matches between national teams in June, so that the new coach can carry out the call-up and make his debut —Ancelotti commands Real Madrid in the Champions League, whose final is scheduled for June 10, two days before the start of the next FIFA Date.

“We will be very ethical in our approach and respect the contracts that are in place. We also have a lot of respect for the work that is done by any coach to get there and make any kind of approach. That would be disrespectful to the president of the clubs in question.” , said Rodriguez.

“There is no definition [do próximo técnico] yet, but it will be along these lines, you know? We need a coach who has the respect and admiration of the players”, added Rodrigues.

While Ancelotti is the main target and Pep Guardiola of Manchester City is considered unattainable, other coaches such as José Mourinho of Roma or Jorge Jesus of Fenerbahce are also seen as possible candidates for the confederation.

Among the possible Brazilian candidates, Fernando Diniz, from Fluminense, is one of the favorites within the CBF.