Spectacular turnaround for Carlo Ancelotti: the Italian coach with a stunning track record has extended his contract to Real Madrid until 2026, snubbing the selection of Brazil where he was announced next summer.
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The “White House” dropped this bombshell in a laconic press release on Friday in the heart of the holiday season: “ Real Madrid and Carlo Ancelotti have agreed to extend our coach’s contract until June 30, 2026 “.
News that comes into direct conflict with the announcement by leaders of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) last July, according to which he will be the new coach from June 2024. Carlo Ancelotti was expected for the 2024 Copa America, organized next year in the United States (June 20-July 14).
Brazil had appointed an interim, Fernando Diniz, who has so far failed to improve the results of a moribund “Seleçao”, which suffered three defeats in a row in October and November, including one at home against the Argentinian rivals, in a tense climate.
Contacted on Friday by AFP, the CBF did not wish to comment.
“I’m a little selfish”
Carlo Ancelotti had never publicly confirmed his future in Brazil and had even seemed rather evasive on the subject. “ I’m still there. There are a lot of rumors, but I think everything will be clarified soon. Obviously, as I have said many times, I am very happy at Real Madrid. I’m a little selfish, of course », he declared in particular on October 21 at a press conference.
The president of Real Madrid Florentino Pérez has obviously found the arguments to convince him to favor continuity in the club with the most important record in Europe. Indeed, the results were rather good during the first part of the season: as evidenced by first place in La Liga and qualification for the knockout stages of the Champions League after six victories in as many matches in the group stage.
However, everything pointed to a season of transition after the departure of superstar Karim Benzema for Saudi Arabia, the ever-renewed mirage of the arrival of Kylian Mbappé, as well as a myriad of injuries.
Enmities in Brazil
But Real Madrid was able to count on the faster than expected emergence of a new star, Jude Bellingham, recruited from Borussia Dortmund. Carlo Ancelotti was able to give the keys to the team to the 20-year-old Englishman, who he positioned higher on the pitch, and who has since piled up the goals (17) and assists (five).
“Carletto” will be able to try to continue the harvest started with the club, which he joined in 2021 after a first stint from 2013 to 2015: two Champions Leagues, two Club World Cups, one La Liga and two King’s Cups, between others.
The man nicknamed “Mister” has won numerous titles in the prestigious clubs he has coached (AC Milan, Chelsea, Bayern Munich…), winning four C1s and the title of national champion in the five biggest championships . However, he was also able to leave a mixed memory in certain clubs (Juventus Turin, Napoli, Paris SG).
Ancelotti’s about-face risks attracting new enmities in Brazil. President Lula had already cleared the ground last summer: “ He was never the coach of Italy. Why doesn’t he solve the problems of Italy, who didn’t even participate in the last World Cup? »
Before qualifying: “ If there’s one thing that could help him in Brazil, it’s his ability to lower the temperature of the situation “.
With AFP