Real Madrid’s brutal decision stuns Brazil as CBF’s plan collapses | OneFootball

Brazilian fans lived the dream of having Carlo Ancelotti as the national team coach. It was CBF's plan, the most rumored name, the desire that circulated behind the scenes. But all that structure suddenly collapsed, and not for a lack of will on the coach's part. Real Madrid, through Florentino Pérez, invested heavily and complicated what had been agreed upon.

Ancelotti even accepted negotiating, going as far as London. With Real Madrid's form slumping, the Champions League elimination, and the loss to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey, the mood in Madrid was already less than ideal. The Italian was willing, if his release clause was paid, a reasonable demand, as his contract was valid until 2026. But that's when Real Madrid, knowing about the verbal understanding between the coach and CBF, refused to pay a single penny of the termination fee. They would let Ancelotti go, yes, but without paying anything.

European realism, Brazilian illusion

The negotiation broke down. And with it, so did CBF's attempt to remake itself with a big-name European name. Ancelotti was the perfect name and a sign of renewal, of international stature, of breaking away from sameness. And now, he is just one of those stories that almost was.

With Ancelotti out, the name that's gaining traction is Jorge Jesus. The Portuguese coach, on his way out of Al-Hilal, is CBF's second favorite name, not to mention the fact that he's already been tested on Brazilian soil. Some might think that the risk on JJ, if confirmed, is an attempt to sweep the house without making too much noise for the neighbors. Wishful thinking.

The Portuguese coach is also perhaps the correct man to make the world's best national team return to the top. He is a tough man, and if he needs to bench someone, he won't think twice. Plus, he will make Brazil play football, something that has not been occurring. Nevertheless, this is an indication of how much the national team actually lacks proper planning.

Xabi Alonso enters the scene

While CBF was dealing with Florentino’s refusal, Real Madrid already had a name up its sleeve: Xabi Alonso. The former midfielder of the club itself, who’s been doing an impressive job at Bayer Leverkusen, emerges as the likely replacement for Ancelotti. Young, promising, and with merengue DNA. The choice reinforces that Los Blancos weren’t lost and had control of the situation. And if the club has a succession plan, an early exit can then be negotiated as a matter of cost and benefit.

It's interesting to note that Real Madrid was retooling itself before CBF even considered it would need to have a plan B. While a Euro club is already preparing for tomorrow, the world's best national team is still struggling through today.

The outcome points out more about CBF than the coach. The lack of preparation, scheduling, and selection does not serve the national team well in public eye.