Brazil are still searching for Tite’s replacement after he resigned from his position as head coach after the South American giants’ quarterfinal exit from the 2022 FIFA World Cup. According to The Athletic, Ednaldo Rodrigues, head of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), has decided that Carlo Ancelotti is his preferred candidate, despite the fact that improbable high-profile alternatives like Pep Guardiola were initially considered.
The Italian’s predicament at Real Madrid, though, is slowing down the process, and Brazil has chosen a number of alternatives in case their pursuit for Ancelotti is unsuccessful. The shortlist includes Jorge Jesus, the manager of Fenerbahce, Fernando Diniz, the head coach of Fluminense, Palmeiras’ Abel Ferreira, and, maybe most surprisingly, Jose Mourinho of AS Roma.
Brazil ready to welcome aboard Jose Mourinho if Ancelotti declines the job
The CBF prefers Jose Mourinho after left impressed with his trophy-winning record, charisma, and language skills, despite the fact that his departure from Roma would be difficult given his contract. The Portuguese coach has won trophies wherever he has managed, barring the exception of Tottenham Hotspur. However, he did steer the club to the 2021 Carabao Cup final, but was sacked just six days ahead of the clash against Man City at Wembley.
Nonetheless, Jose Mourinho’s track record speaks for himself, having won five European trophies, ten league titles including three Premier League championships, and 13 other titles. A passionate personality, the CBF prefers Mourinho who they feel is a perfect alternative to Ancelotti. Moreover, Mourinho knows how to manage a star-studded dressing room, having coached the likes of Chelsea, Inter, Real Madrid and Manchester United.
But given his contract with Roma, and his urge to succeed there by guiding them to Champions League football after winning the UEFA Conference League last season, Brazil might not taste success in luring Jose Mourinho as well. The alternative is to appoint a Brazilian, which is supported by a large portion of the CBF. Given his playing style, Diniz, who helped Fluminense win the state championship in Rio de Janeiro just a week ago, is well-admired.
PSG superstar Neymar has publicly complimented Diniz and privately expressed his desire for him to succeed as the coach of the national team. At Palmeiras, Ferreira has been exemplary. However, everything hinges on what happens with Ancelotti. The Italian doesn’t want meetings while his team is in the crucial part of the season and as a result, Rodrigues hasn’t spoken to him directly; instead, he’s done it through intermediaries.
The CBF is aware that Ancelotti’s top priority is to honor his Real Madrid contract, which expires in 2024, and hence would rather approach Jose Mourinho. While Barcelona are running away with the La Liga, Real Madrid though, defeated Chelsea 2-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal last week. Per multiple reports, there is an expectation that Ancelotti must win a significant trophy to stay in charge at Bernabeu.
However, Ancelotti too had teased the Brazil job earlier this month, confessing that the links to the five-time world champions’ vacant job are “exciting”. Although he concluded by guaranteeing his full commitment to the Los Blancos, Ancelotti appeared to drop a hint about what the future holds for him. Speaking ahead of his side’s Real Valladolid game, the Italian had said:
“I don’t know the president of the Brazilian federation; if he wants to talk to me I would love to greet him. Yes, the reality is that if the national team of Brazil wants me, I’m very excited. But there is a contract at Madrid. The issue is quite simple. I’m not surprised that there are these rumours. It doesn’t worry me, what worries me is to stick with this team, everything is quite clear. I’m here as long as the club allows me to be here. We are doing well. I feel a lot of affection from the president, from the players, from the fans and we are calm.”