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Ancelotti Makes Shocking Career Move After El Clasico Disaster

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Marcelo Cartaxo | Last updated May 12, 2025 1:55 PM ET

Carlo Ancelotti lost the fourth El Clásico this season and was nominated Brazil national team manager ahead of the 2026 World Cup less than 24 hours later.

The CBF was seeking an international manager after failing to succeed in the 2022 World Cup and the two following Copa America. The 4-1 loss to Argentina seemed to be what drove the organization to try harder to sign Carlo Ancelotti.

This is the first time Ancelotti will step up as a national team manager. The Italian only played for Italy, but never coached it.

Ancelotti had a glimpse of what Brazilians can do for years in Real Madrid with Vinícius Júnior, Casemiro, Rodrygo, and Militão. He recently watched Raphinha score two goals in ten minutes for Barcelona to seal the title for Barcelona in the biggest game of La Liga's season for both teams. He will now count on him to score more goals for Brazil.

Carlo Ancelotti will step up as the Brazil national team manager as soon as the season ends, leaving Real Madrid to the new head coach Xabi Alonso ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup in less than two months.

Brazil is not guaranteed a spot in the 2026 World Cup yet, and will have to win every single game in order to not depend on the failure of other national teams in South America. Recently, it lost to Colombia, and Uruguay is coming with a strong, physical team like they’ve been for decades.

OFFICIAL: Brazil confirm Carlo Ancelotti will become the new head coach of the Seleçao.

Contract sealed, Ancelotti will leave Real Madrid and lead the Seleçao to the 2026 World Cup. pic.twitter.com/ovmbPGJGf8
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 12, 2025

Also read: https://athlonsports.com/soccer/real-madrid-collapse-in-historic-first-half-as-barcelona-seals-title-in-style-

Ancelotti will have to lead the team in new environments

Carlo Ancelotti has only managed teams in Europe, in countries where cold is predominant. Coming to Brazil, even though the headquarters is in the mountains of Rio de Janeiro, the national team rarely plays in the country.

Since most of South America is far from sea level, the difference in air pressure the players will experience on the training ground and playing in Ecuador's Monumental stadium will be significant. The ball travels faster with less air to create traction, the players get more tired easily, and the heat is intense.

Brazil’s national team players are used to these conditions, but not Ancelotti. The adjustments he will have to make in order to win those games will be crucial. Currently, Brazil is in 4th place, behind Argentina with 31 points, Ecuador with 23, and Uruguay with the same amount of points (21). Paraguay also has 21 points, and Colombia has 20. This leaves the South America playoffs for the World Cup open to whoever can win more games.

Ancelotti will have a lot of work to do, and the first game is in less than a month against Ecuador in their home turf.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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