Look, I’ll be honest with you. When I first heard about Carlo Ancelotti getting the Brazil job, my immediate reaction was “finally!” Not because I don’t rate Brazilian coaches – guys like Tite did decent work – but because this appointment feels different. It feels like Brazil is actually serious about winning again.
Think about it. Brazil hasn’t won a World Cup since 2002. That’s over 20 years of underachieving for a country that basically invented beautiful football. And what do they do? They hire the guy who’s won more Champions League titles than most clubs have even appeared in finals.
Why This Actually Makes Perfect Sense
Embed from Getty ImagesHere’s something most people aren’t talking about: Ancelotti knows these Brazilian players better than any coach in the world right now. He’s worked with Vinícius Júnior, Casemiro, and Éder Militão at Real Madrid. He’s seen them handle pressure, watched them in big games, knows exactly what makes them tick.
That’s huge. International football is different from club football – you get limited time with players, and trust becomes everything. Ancelotti already has that trust with Brazil’s core players.
But there’s more to it than just familiarity.
The Pressure Problem
Brazil’s biggest issue isn’t talent – never has been. It’s handling expectation. Every World Cup, they’re among the favorites. Every tournament, the weight of history crushes them when things get tight.
Remember 2014? That Germany game wasn’t about tactics. Brazil just fell apart mentally. 2018 against Belgium? Same thing. 2022 against Croatia on penalties? Mental collapse again.
Now think about Ancelotti. This is a guy who’s managed Real Madrid in Champions League finals. He’s dealt with Florentino Pérez breathing down his neck. He’s handled dressing rooms full of superstars who think they know better than him.
If anyone can teach Brazil how to handle pressure, it’s Carlo.
What Changes on the Pitch?
Embed from Getty ImagesForget everything you think you know about “Brazilian style” for a minute. Modern Brazil hasn’t been playing joga bonito for years anyway. Tite’s Brazil was pretty defensive. Dunga’s Brazil was defensive. Even Felipão’s 2002 team was more organized than flashy.
Ancelotti won’t kill Brazilian flair – that would be stupid. But he’ll give it direction.
At Real Madrid, he never told Vinícius to stop being direct or Modrić to stop being creative. He just gave them a framework. Attack when we have the ball, defend when we don’t, and everyone knows their job.
That’s exactly what Brazil needs.
The Casemiro Factor
Embed from Getty ImagesOne move that’s already got my attention: bringing Casemiro back. Guy’s been frozen out of the national team for months, but Ancelotti knows what he brings. It’s not about pace or flashy passes – it’s about leadership and knowing when to slow games down.
Brazil’s problem in recent tournaments has been tempo control. They either go 100mph and burn out, or they slow down too much and lose momentum. Casemiro understands game management better than any Brazilian midfielder right now.
The Real Test: Managing Expectations
Here’s where it gets interesting. Brazilian media is brutal. Fans expect perfection. Former players become TV pundits and criticize everything.
But Ancelotti’s been through this before. Italian media when he was at Milan? Ruthless. Spanish press at Real Madrid? Worse. English tabloids at Chelsea? Don’t get me started.
The difference is, he’s learned how to use media pressure to his advantage. When everyone’s talking about the coach, players can focus on playing. That’s exactly what Brazil needs – someone to absorb the heat.
What About Neymar?
Embed from Getty ImagesThe elephant in the room. Neymar’s injured, getting older, playing in Saudi Arabia. Some people think his international career is done.
I disagree. Ancelotti’s managed enough aging superstars to know how to use them effectively. Look what he did with Modrić at 37, or Benzema at 34. It’s not about playing every game – it’s about being available for the moments that matter.
If Neymar can stay fit, he’ll have a role. But it won’t be the same role he had five years ago.
Why Carlo Ancelotti’s Move to Brazil Could Actually Work
Embed from Getty ImagesThe more I think about this appointment, the more sense it makes. Brazil’s problem hasn’t been lack of talent – they’ve got more quality players than anyone except maybe France. Their problem has been consistency, mentality, and tactical discipline.
Ancelotti fixes all three.
He’s the most consistent big-game manager in world football. His teams rarely have mental breakdowns because he prepares them for pressure. And while he’s not the most innovative tactician, he knows how to organize talented players.
The 2026 Factor
World Cup in North America gives Brazil advantages they haven’t had in years. Time zones work better for European-based players. Travel distances are manageable. Climate shouldn’t be an issue.
More importantly, Ancelotti will have had 18 months to implement his ideas. That’s more preparation time than most international coaches get.
My Honest Assessment
Will Brazil win the 2026 World Cup? I don’t know. Competition is fierce – France, England, Spain all have strong teams. Argentina won’t go quietly.
But for the first time in years, I actually believe Brazil has the right coach for the job. Someone who understands pressure, knows the players, and won’t be intimidated by expectations.
That might be enough.
The appointment makes sense tactically, psychologically, and practically. Whether it works depends on execution, but Brazil has given themselves the best possible chance.
And honestly? After watching them underachieve for two decades, it’s about time they tried something different.
Sometimes the best decisions are the obvious ones. Hiring the world’s most successful club manager to coach the world’s most talented national team isn’t complicated – it’s just smart.
Now we wait and see if smart translates to successful.
More football analysis: If you enjoyed this breakdown, you’ll love our post-match analysis of that mental Spurs vs United game – proper tactical battle that one. And speaking of young talents who might catch Ancelotti’s eye, we’ve got a deep dive into how Lamine Yamal’s already changing the game at just 17. Plus, with Brazil potentially becoming genuine contenders again, check out our updated Ballon d’Or rankings for 2025 – success with Brazil could change everything for some of these players.
What do you think? Is Ancelotti the right choice for Brazil, or should they have stuck with a Brazilian coach? Let me know in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQS
May 25th, 2025 – making him Brazil’s first foreign coach ever. He’s already named his squad for the upcoming qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay.
Not exactly. Yes, he’s brought Casemiro back after months out in the cold, but he’s not playing favorites. His first squad shows he’s picking based on what the team needs, not personal relationships.
We’ll find out in these upcoming qualifiers! Early signs suggest he’s keeping Brazil organized but giving attackers clearer roles. The real test is whether he can balance flair with discipline.
Door’s still open if he proves fitness and form. Ancelotti’s track record with aging stars like Modric suggests Neymar could have a role – just not as the main man anymore.
That’s the big question. These qualifiers will be the first real test of whether his calm presence can help Brazil handle pressure better than previous tournaments.
A dedicated tactical analyst with over 10 years of experience studying European football’s elite leagues. Imran follows the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and Bundesliga with particular focus on managerial systems and tactical evolution. Watching 2-3 matches weekly across these competitions, he has developed deep insights into how different coaching philosophies translate across leagues and cultures. At Latest in Football, Imran specializes in breaking down complex tactical decisions and managerial appointments for everyday football fans.