Carlo Ancelotti has officially been unveiled as the new head coach of the national team. The announcement has sent ripples of excitement and anticipation across the footballing world.
The 65-year-old Italian maestro is setting his sights on an unprecedented milestone for foreign managers of the Seleção: capturing the FIFA World Cup. It’s a lofty goal, considering every single one of Brazil’s five glorious World Cup triumphs has come under the stewardship of local coaches.
The rich tapestry of Brazil’s World Cup history is woven with legendary names. In 1958, Vicente Feola guided a bright-eyed Pelé and his teammates to their maiden title. Just four years on, Aymoré Moreira took the reins and led them to a second consecutive championship.
The 1970 squad, which remains etched in memory as one of the greatest, found their conductor in Mário Jorge Lobo, affectionately known as Zagallo. Fast forward to 1994 and 2002, and it was under the watchful eyes of Carlos Alberto Parreira and Luiz Felipe Scolari (or Felipão), respectively, that Brazil basked in World Cup glory.
If Ancelotti manages to weave his magic and lift next year’s World Cup trophy, he will etch his name into the annals of history—not only with Brazil but as the first foreign coach to clinch the coveted title with a national team other than his own. Since the inception of the competition in 1930, the winning coach has always shared the same nationality as the team.
Besides Brazil, another football giant without a homegrown coach is England. Following Gareth Southgate’s decision to step down, the English Football Association turned to German tactician Thomas Tuchel, renowned for his successful spells at Chelsea, PSG, and Borussia Dortmund.
Ancelotti steps into illustrious territory as only the fourth foreign manager to hold the reins of the Brazilian national team. The last time a non-Brazilian took charge was in 1965, when Argentine Filpo Nuñez briefly managed a 3-0 victory against Uruguay at the iconic Mineirão stadium. It was the debut game at Mineirão, and the occasion saw Palmeiras representing Brazil with Nuñez on the bench, while Vicente Feola retained the official title of head coach.
The history books also tell of Uruguayan Ramón Platero, who was the first foreign coach for Brazil back in 1925, overseeing four games. Then in 1944, Portuguese Jorge Gomes de Lima, known as Joreca, led the team for a couple of matches.
As the stage sets for another run at World Cup qualifiers, Brazil is warming up to spring back into action this June. Their first showdown comes against Ecuador on June 5, at the Monumental de Guayaquil. Just five days later, Ancelotti’s brigade will play hosts to Paraguay at the Neo Química Arena, jousting in the climactic 15th and 16th rounds of the qualifiers. The road to glory beckons, and the world will be watching with bated breath.
Foot Boom
