Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has described the reports of a May 25 deadline for his acceptance of the Brazil national team manager role as nonsense.
The 65-year-old is on the verge of his first international management role after the Brazil Football Federation led by Ednaldo Rodrigues approached him to take over from Tite, who departed the team by mutual consent after they exited the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar at the quarter finals stage.
Ancelotti’s only other experience with international football is his first managerial role when he was Italy’s assistant manager in the early 1990s.
He has since gone on to manage a number of club teams across Europe’s top five leagues to tremendous success. He is the most successful manager in the history of the UEFA Champions League, winning it twice each with AC Milan and Real Madrid in a span of 20 years.
He has also won multiple league titles in a career that has seen him invited to manage a few national teams. After turning down those opportunities for various reasons, the Italian tactician, known for his famous eyebrow, is looking to wrap it up on the club scene.
His contract with Real Madrid ends in June 2023 and it is reported that he is not considering a new club contract, hinting at possible retirement. With the Brazil role being prepared for him, his fans are excited to see what comes next.
Ednaldo Rodrigues said that the Italian is the players’ favourite to replace Tite. “Ancelotti is unanimously respected among the players,” Rodriguez said. “Not only Ronaldo Nazario or Vinicius Jr, but everyone who has played for him.
“I really admire him for his honesty in the way he works and how constant his work is. He needs no introduction. He really is a top coach who has several achievements and we hope he can have even more.
“Ancelotti is not only the players’ favourite, but he also seems to be the fans’ favourite.”
Should he take the job ahead of the June international break, he will be coaching his Real Madrid boys Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes, Eder Militao and Casemiro, who left for Manchester United in the summer. Ancelotti, however, insists on not talking about his future while claiming that he has not discussed any deadline with anybody from the Brazilian FA.
“I’ve already said that I’m not talking about my future. But, I’ll answer: the deadline is nonsense. There is no deadline because I never… I haven’t talked to anyone.”
Ancelotti also shut down talks of his possible retirement while expressing excitement about Brazil’s interest in him. “No (I don’t plan to retire). Let’s see.
“I am very excited that Brazil wants me, but I have to respect the contract with Madrid, which I want to fulfil.”
