By Martin Graham
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is expected to hold further discussions regarding the Brazil head coach position ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in June. The 65-year-old Italian is scheduled to meet with representatives connected to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) to discuss a potential move. After Real Madrid’s contentious Copa del Rey final loss to Barcelona in Seville on Saturday, Ancelotti remarked that conversations about his future would happen “in the next weeks, not today.” Businessman Diego Fernandes, who has been working on behalf of the CBF, was seen attending the match.
Sources suggest Fernandes’ recent trip to Europe includes an effort to convince Ancelotti to accept the Brazil position immediately after the conclusion of the Spanish season. Should an agreement be reached, Ancelotti would depart Real Madrid before the Club World Cup takes place in the United States this summer. The CBF sees Ancelotti as their preferred successor to Dorival Junior, who was dismissed after Brazil suffered a 4-1 defeat to Argentina in Buenos Aires. Although Brazil sits fourth in the South American qualifying standings, the federation believes that bringing in Ancelotti would strengthen their chances of winning the World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The CBF had previously tried to recruit Ancelotti before last year’s Copa America but were unsuccessful. Ancelotti has secured two La Liga titles and three Champions League trophies during his two terms at Real Madrid, with last season bringing both honors. Currently, his team trails La Liga leaders Barcelona by four points with five games remaining. Additionally, Real Madrid exited the Champions League after a 5-1 aggregate defeat against Arsenal in the quarter-finals. Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso is reportedly among the candidates being considered to succeed Ancelotti at the Bernabéu.
