Carlo Ancelotti emerges as contender for Brazil job?

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 13 December 2022

Brazil reportedly consider Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti as a candidate to take over from Tite, who resigned after their World Cup quarter-final exit.

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has reportedly emerged as a contender to replace Tite as Brazil manager.

The Selecao are on the lookout for a new head coach in the wake of Tite's resignation, with the 61-year-old leaving straight after his side's World Cup departure.

Brazil were regarded as one of the favourites to win a sixth World Cup title in Qatar, and they claimed top spot in Group G after beating Serbia and Switzerland before losing to Cameroon.

Tite's side ran out convincing 5-1 winners over South Korea in the last 16, but they suffered a disappointing quarter-final elimination to Croatia, losing on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Tite stepped down immediately after the defeat to the 2018 runners-up, bringing an end to a six-year spell where he won one trophy in the form of the 2019 Copa America.

Brazil head coach Tite pictured before the match on December 9, 2022 © Reuters

"My cycle is over. I said it over a year and a half ago and I keep to my word," the former Corinthians and Palmeiras manager told the media.

"We shouldn't make a drama out of it as I said this one and half years ago. There are other great professionals that can replace me. There could be elements to analyse but the cycle is over."

Brazil are said to be willing to consider non-Brazilian managers for the vacant job, and a recent report claimed that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been lined up as a shock candidate.

Now, UOL Esporte reports that Real Madrid manager Ancelotti is also on the Brazilian Football Confederation's shortlist, and the Italian is a more attainable target than Guardiola, who signed a new deal with Man City until 2025 last month.

Ancelotti is said to have first held talks with Brazil in October and made it clear that he would be open to discussing the role, but he is not prepared to leave Real Madrid midway through the season.

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti on August 10, 2022 © Reuters

The 63-year-old is under contract at the Bernabeu until the summer of 2024, although he could apparently be ready to take on the Brazil job at the end of the current season, but the Selecao would need to find an interim manager for the time being.

Ancelotti won a record fourth Champions League crown as a manager with Real Madrid last season, having also achieved Europe's top prize with Los Blancos in 2014 and leading AC Milan to the crown in 2003 and 2007.

The former Chelsea and Everton manager has won a total of 23 major trophies during his career, including one title in each of the Premier League, Serie A, La Liga, Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga.

Ancelotti, who was also named the World's Best Club Coach in 2006 and 2014, has led Real Madrid to 11 wins from 14 games in the 2022-23 La Liga season, but the champions sit two points behind Barcelona in the table.

Back in May, Ancelotti affirmed that he would be open to managing a national team once he calls time on his Real Madrid career.