Carlo Ancelotti has been appointed as Brazil’s first permanent foreign coach, marking a significant shift in the country’s footballing landscape. The legendary manager, widely thought to be the greatest manager of all time, will take formal charge on May 26. His deal runs through the finals of the World Cup next year. Under his leadership, Brazil hopes to continue moving up the trending down South American qualifiers table. As it stands, they are in fourth place, ten points behind surprise leaders Argentina.
Ancelotti, a five-time Champions League winner, assumes control at a vital juncture for the Brazilian national team. They now find themselves in an excellent position to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Their recent steep decline in performance has raised alarms over their competitiveness with the rest of the world. Those next South American qualifiers, in June, will be a crucial proving ground for Ancelotti’s experimental squad.
Varane’s Support for Ancelotti
Another member of that French World Cup-winning side Raphael Varane played under Ancelotti during the Italian’s spell at Real Madrid. He still deeply trusts that the new coach can improve Brazil’s game. Varane pointed to Ancelotti’s long experience with elite coaching under high pressure situations as an asset that will be key for the Brazilian team.
“But I think if you’re capable of winning trophies like the Champions League, and if you’re capable of raising your level for big games, then you’re capable of doing it anywhere, at any time.” – Raphael Varane
His endorsement emphasizes Ancelotti’s capability to instill a winning mentality within the squad, crucial for Brazil as they aim to secure their place in next year’s World Cup tournament hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Challenges Ahead for Brazil
Brazil is up against many challenges as they gear up for the June qualifiers. Argentina has booked its ticket to the World Cup. Now, Brazil will need to continue to deftly navigate a complicated and very competitive road to join them in this constellation of sports stars for this coming summer too.
During his spell as Canada’s interim head coach, Varane recognized the burden of history that accompanies coaching Brazil. He stated, “That’s the difficult thing. You have to meet with history. Every time (at the World Cup) it’s only one chance, so you can’t miss many opportunities. I think at the top level he knows how to do it.” His remarks encapsulate the incredible weight of expectation that Ancelotti will be under as he manages a team with this level of treasure.
A Bright Future?
Ancelotti pulled it together That’s why there’s a cautious optimism surrounding Brazil’s prospects with Ancelotti at the helm. Varane believes that Ancelotti’s familiarity with top-level football and his ability to prepare players will aid in navigating the challenges ahead.
“If he goes there, he knows how to do it, how to prepare the players, feeling comfortable and confident enough because we are talking about Brazil.” – Raphael Varane
Naturally, Brazilian fans and players alike are hopeful. The Tricolor Federation (FTF) believes that Ancelotti can draw on his vast experience and tactical expertise to turn around their poor form and lead them to past successes on the world stage.
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