Title: 'Two of the best five players in world' - Ancelotti's bid to revive Brazil

Carlo Ancelotti ventured into uncharted waters when he agreed to manage Brazil. Although the Italian manager has previously worked with 43 Brazilian players during his coaching tenure, his direct experience in South America was limited to a single scouting trip in the early 2000s while he was at Juventus. Consequently, when he finalized a deal in May 2025 to become the nation’s first foreign head coach at a World Cup, he understood the necessity of immediate impact.

That urgency was evident early on. During initial meetings in Rio de Janeiro, Ancelotti observed CBF staff attempting to communicate in Spanish and Italian. He gently corrected them with a smile: "No, no. I'm the one who has to make the effort to speak Portuguese here." Aware that the Brazilian fanbase holds immense pride in the Selecao and traditionally believes the country is self-sufficient in football talent, Ancelotti knew cultural integration was key. His dedication was such that he hired a private Portuguese tutor, committing to four lessons weekly.

Roberto Piantino, the language instructor, recalled Ancelotti’s intense drive. "I was surprised by his commitment," Piantino told BBC Sport. "We once finished a lesson on a Friday, and as usual, I asked when he wanted the next session. He replied, 'Tomorrow.' When I pointed out it was Saturday, he insisted. That meant a 9am start in Vancouver, where he resides with his wife. This happened repeatedly, demonstrating how serious he was about learning."

The effort appears to be yielding returns. Brazil’s 6-2 victory over Panama in their final friendly before the World Cup was a positive sign. Goals were scored by Bournemouth’s Rayan, who netted his international debut goal, Brentford’s Igor Thiago, as well as Vinicius Jr, Casemiro, Lucas Paqueta, and Danilo.

However, Ancelotti must utilize every resource at his disposal, including his improving language skills, to address the magnitude of the challenge: preventing Brazil from extending their winless drought. The five-time champions last lifted the trophy in 2002 and have never failed to win in six consecutive tournaments. There is a strong argument that the former Real Madrid and Chelsea boss is the ideal candidate. Walter Casagrande, a former international and current pundit, noted that Brazil needed a manager whose stature exceeded that of the players. Ancelotti fits this description, boasting five Champions League titles and trophies in all five of Europe’s top leagues—a pedigree that commands respect even in a squad featuring Neymar, Vinicius Jr, and Raphinha.

Despite the skepticism, Ancelotti has proven adept at navigating the role. His appointment broke a significant taboo: the idea that a foreign coach should lead the national team. Cafu, a two-time World Cup winner, initially expressed reservations, stating, "We are the only country to have won the World Cup five times. It's not that a foreigner should never coach the national team, but I would have gone for a Brazilian coach."

Tensions were palpable at a November event for Brazilian coaches, where Ancelotti was being honored. He found himself listening to peers criticize the "invasion" of foreign managers. Emerson Leao, a 1970 World Cup winner, declared, "I have always said I don't like foreign coaches in my country. We, as coaches, are to blame for this invasion." The discomfort was so pronounced that Ancelotti’s son and assistant coach, Davide, departed the event early.

Nevertheless, this incident remained an isolated incident during Ancelotti’s first year. Despite a mixed start with six wins, two draws, and three defeats in his first 11 matches, recent research from Qua...

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-06-01 05:49:39 UTC