When the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti as the next manager of the national team, the football world was shocked. Ancelotti, an award-winning European coach with no prior international experience outside of club football, had taken on one of the most controversial roles in international football, raising the inevitable question: is this a masterstroke or a misstep?
An undisputed winner
Ancelotti’s resume is undeniably impressive. He is the only manager to have won the UEFA Champions League four times with three different clubs. From Milan to Real Madrid, from Chelsea to Bayern Munich, he has left a legacy as a calm and adaptable strategist, and a master at managing inflated egos. Brazil, a country synonymous with talent and individual brilliance, could benefit from precisely that: someone who can balance the stars while also delivering results.
In many ways, the challenges facing modern Brazilian football are similar to those faced by elite clubs. The national team boasts a squad packed with players from Europe’s top clubs, many of whom are accustomed to tactical sophistication and individual freedom. Fluent in both languages, Ancelotti could bring Brazil the harmony that has been lacking in recent international tournaments.
Will he fit in culturally and tactically?
But there are risks. Ancelotti has never coached in South America, isn’t fluent in Portuguese, and has built a reputation within Europe’s structured systems. Despite modern European influences, Brazilian football is characterized by passion, pressure, and unpredictability.
Furthermore, Ancelotti isn’t known for changing tactics. He inherits a talented squad, but has been criticized for being too predictable and lacking creativity in key moments—traits that plagued them in their quarterfinal defeat to Croatia at the 2022 World Cup. Will Ancelotti’s typically conservative and pragmatic style unleash Brazil’s full potential or stifle the talent that makes them unique?
Managing Expectations
No position in international football carries as much pressure as Brazil’s. Five World Cups are both an honor and a burden. Ancelotti is expected not only to win, but to do so in style. Brazilians are notoriously critical of coaches who disrespect the country’s footballing identity, regardless of the results.
On the other hand, his calm demeanor could be just what the passionate Brazilian environment needs. If he can convince the players and bridge the cultural gap with a strong coaching staff, Ancelotti could provide much-needed stability.
Long-Term Plan
This appointment is as much about symbolism as it is about substance. The CBF is signaling a change: a desire to look beyond its borders and pursue tactical excellence. Ancelotti’s tenure could pave the way for more international coaches in Brazil, or it could reinforce the belief that only someone deeply rooted in the local football culture can truly lead the national team.
Whether this is a masterstroke or a misstep will depend not only on the trophies, but also on Brazil’s performance under his leadership and how it adapts to an unprecedented scenario.