Carlo Ancelotti speaks out on Brazil links as new favourite for job emerges
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has responded to the latest speculation linking him with the Brazil manager’s job.
The Selecao are on the lookout for a new head coach having sacked Dorival Junior following Tuesday night’s humiliating 4-1 thrashing by arch-rivals Argentina in their latest 2026 World Cup qualifier in Buenos Aires.
The 62-year-old had only been at the helm for 13 months after Ramon Menezes and Fernando Diniz had both taken caretaker charge since Tite left in the aftermath of the shock quarter-final defeat by Croatia in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Ancelotti had been heavily linked with the role as the Brazilian Football Confederation’s (CBF) reported No1 target before it eventually went to former Flamengo and Sao Paulo boss Dorival, with Jose Mourinho among the other prominent names linked.
Brazil icon Ronaldo claimed this week that the Italian had wanted the job after he helped to facilitate talks with former CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues, but the plans were scuppered when Real Madrid would not release Ancelotti from a contract that runs until the summer of 2026.
Ancelotti has now said that he has no memories of discussing the matter with Ronaldo and remains committed to Los Blancos despite reaffirming his admiration for Brazil.
“I don’t remember speaking to Ronaldo about this,” he said. “My contract is clear, I have nothing more to add. I have great affection for the Brazil national team, their players and their fans, but I have a contract with Real Madrid.”
Pressed if the CBF had made contact with Ancelotti recently, the 65-year-old, speaking a few hours before Dorival Junior was sacked, responded: “No. They simply have not.”
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is among the other high-profile names being mentioned in connection with the Brazil job, though Jorge Jesus has reportedly now emerged as the frontunner.
The 70-year-old Portuguese has a wealth of experience in club management, including jobs with Benfica, Sporting Lisbon and Fenerbahce as well as in Brazil with Flamengo, with whom he won five trophies including the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A title and Copa Libertadores in 2019.
Jesus is currently in his second spell in charge with Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, who currently sit second in the Saudi Pro League table but only two points behind leaders Al-Ittihad with nine games remaining this term. He won the league with Al-Hilal back in 2023/24.
Fabrizio Romano reported on Saturday that Jesus has given his availability for the Brazil job at the end of the Saudi season, with the CBF facing a tricky decision with Ancelotti unlikely to be available before July. The Selecao – now fourth in South American qualifying – face Ecuador and Paraguay in their penultimate round of World Cup qualifiers in early June.
The top six nations in the CONMEBOL table all qualify directly for the finals, while the team that finished seventh enter the inter-confederation play-offs.
