2 hours ago
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Carlo Ancelotti has been confirmed as the next manager of the Brazil national team. The Brazilian football confederation (CBF) has announced that Real Madrid’s Italian head coach, one of the most successful managers in the history of European club football, will take up the position from 26 May.
The appointment had been widely predicted, with it also expected the 65-year-old would be leaving his post at the Bernabéu at the end of the Spanish domestic season.
Ancelotti will become the first foreign manager of Brazil’s men’s team and he will take charge before the five-time record champions’ World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay in June.
A statement from the CBF described Ancelotti as “a legend of the game as the most successful manager in football history”.
It added: “This landmark moment sees the coming together of two icons – the only five-time Fifa World Cup champions and a coach with an unmatched record across Europe’s elite competitions.
“The CBF extends its sincere gratitude to Real Madrid and [president] Mr Pérez for the cordiality and sportsmanship shown in facilitating the coach’s release during his contract term, allowing this new chapter to begin with mutual respect and cooperation between the teams.
“The confederation would also like to extend its thanks to Diego Fernandes, who facilitated and led negotiations with Mr Ancelotti and Real Madrid on behalf of the CBF in Europe. The CBF warmly welcomes Mr Ancelotti and looks forward to a new era of success under his leadership.”
Ancelotti has won the Champions League a record five times as a manager, three times across two spells with Real Madrid and twice with Milan. He has also won domestic titles with both of those clubs as well as with Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.
Xabi Alonso, who will leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season, is a leading candidate to replace Ancelotti at Real Madrid.
