Belletti shares Ancelotti’s advice that inspired him to become a coach | OneFootball

The Brazilian Juliano Belletti, known for his role as a coach in Barcelona's youth categories and the current head of Barcelona Atlètic, revealed to the Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo that he did not plan to pursue a career as a coach. According to him, a conversation with Carlo Ancelotti was decisive for the change of direction.

“I didn't think about being a coach. I was a commentator, traveling with Barça as an ambassador during the pre-season, with Barça Legends… I met Carlo Ancelotti and he asked me if I was a coach. I said no. And at that moment he made a comment that made me think. He told me that I helped him a lot tactically in games for Chelsea. I played as a full-back, winger, midfielder… And that's when the idea came to me. I'm going step by step, always evolving,” said the Brazilian.

Considered a Barcelona legend, especially for the goal scored in the 2006 Champions League final, Belletti ended his career in 2011, after stints with Cruzeiro, São Paulo, Villarreal, and Chelsea, in addition to the Catalan club. As an assistant coach, he started at Cruzeiro in 2021 and later worked in the youth division of Tricolor before returning to Barça.

Main Team

When asked about the possibility of taking over the main team when Hansi Flick's contract ends in 2027, the coach left the answer open.

“I will never shy away from my work. Last year, I started as an assistant coach for the youth, then assistant for the reserve team, then youth coach, and now reserve team coach, because the club sees that I can also contribute a lot to the main team. Good question, let them answer (laughs),” he commented.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.