Brazilian President Lula has expressed concerns over Carlo Ancelotti becoming Brazil’s national football coach. Despite Ancelotti’s successful career, Lula’s reluctance is tied to political and personal reasons. The decision remains a hot topic in Brazil’s footballing circles.
Introduction: A Surprising Appointment
On Monday, Carlo Ancelotti was appointed as the new head coach of Brazil’s national football team. This announcement was met with excitement by many in the football world, as Ancelotti is known for his impressive career with top European clubs. However, the next day, Brazilian President Lula da Silva expressed his concerns about the decision. In his remarks, Lula questioned whether Brazilian truly needed a foreigner to take charge of its national team.
Lula’s Reaction to Ancelotti’s Appointment
Lula’s reaction to the news came during a trip to China, where he shared his thoughts with reporters. While acknowledging Ancelotti’s skills as a coach, Lula suggested that Brazilian has capable coaches of its own who could lead the national team. He emphasized that there is no need for a foreigner to coach Brazil when there are plenty of talented local coaches available.
“I have no grudge against him because he is a foreigner,” Lula said, “But I believe we have a coach in Brazilian who is capable of managing the national team.” Despite his reservations, Lula referred to Ancelotti as a “great technician” and expressed hope that the Italian coach could help Brazil qualify for the World Cup and potentially win it.
A Long History of Foreign Coaches in Brazil
Ancelotti’s appointment is significant because he is the first foreigner to become Brazil’s national team coach in 60 years. The last time Brazilian hired a foreign coach was in 1965, when Argentine Filpo Nunez was briefly in charge for one friendly match against Uruguay. Before Nunez, there were a few other instances of foreign coaches leading Brazil, such as Ramón Platero, who coached the team during the 1925 Copa America, and Joreca, who coached in 1944.
These foreign coaches were rare exceptions, and Brazil has traditionally relied on local talent to manage the national team. The decision to bring in a foreigner like Ancelotti is therefore a bold move for Brazilian , a country known for its footballing traditions and passion.
Lula’s Expectations for Ancelotti
Despite his concerns about hiring a foreign coach, Lula has expressed optimism about Ancelotti’s ability to help Brazil’s national team succeed. Brazil has been struggling to end a title drought that has lasted for more than two decades, and many in Brazilian football see Ancelotti as the coach who can finally bring the country back to the top.
“Ancelotti is a great technician,” Lula said, acknowledging his impressive record at the club level. “I hope he can help Brazil qualify for the World Cup and win it if possible.” Brazil is currently fourth in the South American World Cup qualifying table, with 21 points from 14 matches. While Argentina has already secured its spot in the 2026 World Cup, Brazil still has work to do.
The 2026 World Cup will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with six South American countries automatically qualifying. The seventh-place team will have to play in a playoff, adding extra pressure for Brazil to secure its place.
Lula’s Previous Comments About Ancelotti
Lula has raised questions about Ancelotti in the past, especially in 2023 when the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) was pursuing him to become the national team coach. At that time, Ancelotti was still the coach of Real Madrid, and Lula expressed his surprise that Ancelotti, who was never Italy’s coach, wasn’t focusing on helping Italy, a team that failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
Lula’s comments reflect his belief that Brazil should prioritize local coaching talent, rather than turning to foreign coaches, especially when local coaches have shown success with the national team in the past.
Ancelotti’s Impressive Career
Carlo Ancelotti is one of the most respected coaches in world football. Over his 28-year coaching career, he has managed top clubs like Juventus, AC Milan, Chelsea, PSG, and Real Madrid. Ancelotti is the only coach in history to win the UEFA Champions League five times, cementing his place as one of the most successful coaches of all time.
However, despite his club success, this will be Ancelotti’s first time managing a national team. His appointment as Brazil’s coach is a big challenge, as the country has high expectations for its football team and has been waiting for a World Cup victory since 2002.
Conclusion: A New Era for Brazil?
While President Lula’s reservations about Ancelotti may reflect broader concerns about the role of foreign coaches in Brazil’s footballing culture, there is no denying that Ancelotti’s appointment has the potential to bring a new era of success for Brazil. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, all eyes will be on Ancelotti to see if he can help Brazil end its long wait for a World Cup title.
As the Brazilian football community prepares for this exciting new chapter, the debate over foreign coaches and their role in Brazil’s national team will likely continue. For now, Ancelotti will have the chance to prove himself and show that he is the right man to lead the ‘Seleção’ back to the top of world football.
