Carlo Ancelotti has been heavily linked with the vacant position in charge of the Brazil national team.
The president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has confirmed an interest in appointing Carlo Ancelotti as the next head coach of the national side.
Brazil are yet to name a permanent successor to Tite, who left after their quarter-final exit at the World Cup in Qatar, with the role likely to be filled at the end of the season.
Ancelotti remains contracted to Real Madrid until the end of the 2023-24 season, but the Italian has been heavily tipped to take over the reins at the South American giants, with the players among those who have spoken about the possibility.
Ednaldo Rodrigues admitted that he was a favorite among fans and players, while acknowledging that he was the confederation’s main target.
“Ancelotti is unanimously respected among the players. Not only Ronaldo Nazario or Vinicius Jr., but all those who played for him,” he told Reuters.
“I really admire him for his honesty in the way he works and the constant work he does. He needs no introduction. He’s a really top-notch coach who has had some success and we hope he can have more.”
“Ancelotti is popular not only with the players but also with the fans it seems. Wherever I go in Brazil, in every stadium, he is the first name the fans ask me about.”
“They speak of him very fondly, in recognition of the exemplary work he has done in his career.
“Let’s believe in God, wait for the right time and see if we can do it when we look for a new coach of the Brazilian national team.”
However, despite the abundance of praise and the appeal of hiring Ancelotti, Rodrigues made it clear that no formal approach had been made and urged patience in the search for a new boss.
“We will be very ethical in our approach and respect the contracts that are in place. We also have a lot of respect for the work that any coach and his club do to get there and make any approach would be disrespectful.” to the president of the respective clubs,” he added.
“Therefore, we have the patience to wait for the right moment to have these conversations.
“There’s nothing really defined yet that says [the next coach’s] name for sure, but it’s along those lines, you know? We need a coach who has the respect and admiration of the players.”