Carlo Ancelotti has been officially named the head coach of Brazil’s national team, marking the end of his storied tenure at Real Madrid. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed the appointment on May 12, 2025, with the 65-year-old Italian set to take charge on May 26, just days after Real Madrid’s final La Liga match against Real Sociedad. This transition follows months of negotiations, with Ancelotti emerging as the CBF’s top choice to lead the Seleção into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Ancelotti’s departure from Real Madrid, where he has been under contract until June 2026, comes after a challenging 2024-25 season. Despite his remarkable record—securing two La Liga titles, three Champions League trophies, and a total of 15 major honors across two spells with the club—recent setbacks have cast a shadow. Real Madrid suffered a 5-1 aggregate defeat to Arsenal in the Champions League quarterfinals and a 3-2 loss to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final. Trailing Barcelona by four points in the La Liga title race with five games remaining, the club’s board and Ancelotti reached a mutual agreement on his exit, finalized through cordial negotiations led by Brazilian businessman Diego Fernandes on behalf of the CBF.
The Italian manager, renowned for his tactical acumen and calm demeanor, has long been the “dream” candidate of CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues. Brazil, reeling from a 4-1 World Cup qualifying loss to Argentina in March, sacked former coach Dorival Junior, prompting an urgent search for a leader to restore the team’s global dominance. Ancelotti’s familiarity with Brazil’s brightest talents, including Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, Éder Militão, and Endrick—whom he coached at Real Madrid—positions him ideally to harness the squad’s potential. His initial one-year deal with Brazil extends through the 2026 World Cup, with expectations high for a deep tournament run, potentially reaching the semifinals for the first time since 2014.
Negotiations faced hurdles, particularly over financial terms tied to Ancelotti’s Real Madrid contract. The club was initially reluctant to pay out the remainder of his deal, and a brief impasse arose when Ancelotti expressed doubts after a meeting with CBF representatives in London on April 28. However, a compromise was struck, with Real Madrid agreeing to a partial settlement of his remaining salary, allowing the CBF to proceed without significant compensation demands. This resolution cleared the path for Ancelotti to join Brazil in time for crucial World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador on June 4 and Paraguay on June 9, with the squad announcement due May 26.
Ancelotti’s move to Brazil marks his first foray into international management since serving as Italy’s assistant coach in 1994, when Brazil defeated them in the World Cup final. His unparalleled résumé, including a record five Champions League titles and league championships in all five major European leagues, brings immense credibility to a Brazilian side eager to reclaim its status as a soccer powerhouse. The CBF had also considered Al Hilal’s Jorge Jesus as a fallback option, but Ancelotti’s pedigree and connection with Brazil’s stars made him the clear favorite.
For Real Madrid, Ancelotti’s exit signals a new chapter. The club faces the immediate challenge of appointing a coach for the FIFA Club World Cup in June, with director of football Santiago Solari a likely interim choice. Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso, a former Madrid player, remains the frontrunner for the permanent role, though his arrival may be delayed until the 2025-26 season due to commitments with his current club. Ancelotti, who had other options including interest from Saudi Arabian clubs and a potential non-coaching role at Madrid, expressed gratitude to the Spanish giants, stating, “When I am done here, I will be grateful to this club forever.”