Brazilian football legends Dunga, Felipe Melo, and Mauro Silva have warmly welcomed Carlo Ancelotti’s appointment as the new head coach of the Brazil national team, expressing hope that the Italian maestro can turn around Brazil’s recent struggles. Ancelotti, currently at Real Madrid, will leave at season’s end to take charge of the Seleção.
Ancelotti’s impressive credentials include being the first manager to win league titles in England, Spain, Germany, Italy, and France. At Real Madrid, he won two Champions League and La Liga doubles in just three seasons. Melo, a World Cup player and three-time Copa Libertadores winner, praised Ancelotti as the best coach in the world and said, “I can’t believe there’s anyone who isn’t happy with his arrival.”
Brazil’s coaching position has been unsettled since Tite left in late 2022, with three managers—Ramon Menezes, Fernando Diniz, and Dorival Jr.—coming and going without success. Brazil currently sits fourth in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers with six wins in 14 matches.
Dunga, the former World Cup-winning captain, stressed that the constant coaching changes indicate something was wrong, and Ancelotti was brought in to get results. “We have to help him,” Dunga urged.
Mauro Silva highlighted Ancelotti’s broad understanding of different football philosophies worldwide, calling it a valuable asset. He acknowledged the “delicate moment for Brazilian football” and pointed to structural issues but expressed hope that Ancelotti can succeed.
Ancelotti’s immediate task will be naming the preliminary squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay, with an official squad announcement expected on May 26. The football world will be watching closely to see if the veteran coach can restore Brazil’s dominance on the international stage.
