Brazilian football president labels Ancelotti ‘the greatest coach in history’ as he is announced as new national team boss | OneFootball

Carlo Ancelotti will leave Real Madrid and become the new boss of the Brazil national team, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) have said.

Ancelotti has been at Real Madrid since 2021 in what is his second spell with the club, having also coached them between 2013 and 2015.

He has won three Champions League titles with the club and two league titles, but has endured a difficult season with the Spanish giants being knocked out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage, losing in the Copa del Rey final and look set to finish as runners-up in the league.

“The greatest national team in the history of football will now be led by the most successful coach in the world,” the CBF said in a statement.

Ednaldo Rodrigues, president of the CBF, said: “Bringing Carlo Ancelotti to lead Brazil is more than a strategic move. It is a statement to the world that we are determined to reclaim the top spot on the podium.

“He is the greatest coach in history and, now, he is at the helm of the greatest national team on the planet. Together, we will write new glorious chapters in Brazilian football.”

Real Madrid are expected to appoint their former midfielder Xabi Alonso as their new manager, after the Spaniard announced he would be leaving Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season.

Announcing his departure, Alonso said: “I owe great thanks to Bayer 04 Leverkusen, my players and staff, all the employees of the club and last but not least the fantastic fans. Our success was the result of an outstanding team performance.

“This club, who showed exceptional trust in me, very much deserved to win the German league title for the first time.

“Bayer 04 are ready for the future. The positive path will continue and I will be excited to follow it.”