Two months have gone by since the end of the World Cup, and Brazil are still without a replacement for coach Tite, who stepped down after the competition. Local FA president Ednaldo Rodrigues originally gave himself an informal deadline of the end of January to appoint a new man. That, obviously, has come and gone, and the decision has been made to put Ramon Meneses, the Under-20s boss, in charge for a friendly next month against Morocco.
For some this recalls the extraordinary story of Lionel Scaloni in charge of Argentina. With no previous senior coaching experience, he was made coach of the national side on a caretaker basis and ended up taking them all the way to glory in the World Cup. Could Meneses also be in the long haul?
It is a possibility, but at this stage it looks unlikely. There is one very important difference: back in 2018 Argentina did not have much option. They had sacked Jorge Sampaoli, who was on a fat, long-term contract and had to be paid off. Money was short and Scaloni came cheap. The Brazilian FA are not operating under the same restrictions. They can pay.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)
It would appear that Brazil have set their sights on a big-name foreign coach, which is going to prove very controversial. The local coaching fraternity are not happy with the idea, and it is likely that older supporters would also not be pleased. Moreover, can a big name be seduced? Top ranking coaches tend to prefer the Champions League to national team football. The international game has become an arena for rookies or veterans.
There is one name that very much fits Brazil’s requirements. Top of the wish-list is Carlo Ancelotti. It is easy to see the attraction. No one can possibly doubt his credentials. He has worked successfully with Brazilian players — Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and, until recently Casemiro, for example. His ability to adapt is beyond doubt after winning the league in Italy, England, France, Germany and Spain. And, crucially, he is a diplomat, a man who despite a glowing career as player and coach carries himself with a low profile and glorifies in a tranquil style of leadership. The first foreigner to take charge of Brazil will be walking into a potentially hostile environment and will surely need finely honed diplomatic skills. Ancelotti ticks all the boxes.
Except for one. He is not available — for now anyway.
Ancelotti is, of course, employed by Real Madrid, who he has just taken to the Club World Cup title. He is under contract until 2024, and says he has no intention of leaving before then.
But do Real Madrid see things the same way? This was always supposed to be something of a transitional season. The sale of Casemiro to Manchester United was the first move in a slow dismantling of a midfield which was growing old together. More changes will surely come and they will doubtless be accelerated if Los Blancos are eliminated from the Champions League.
This week Real Madrid play the first leg of their tie against Liverpool, the side they beat to win last year’s Champions League in such dramatic and unexpected fashion. In every match up of the knockout rounds — against Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City and Chelsea, as well as in the final, they found themselves under desperate pressure, but Ancelotti kept his cool and they always managed to find a way to win.
