Ancelotti: It is not difficult to coach Brazil as an Italian; if you meet... let Brazil win

Hupu September 14th, Brazilian national team coach Ancelotti accepted an exclusive interview with the team newspaper.

In football, people often say that Real Madrid coaching is the hardest job in the world. Is Brazil's coach the second most difficult?

No, no. Both jobs are great and the most exciting job you can imagine. It is a very beautiful thing to coach Real Madrid for so long (2013-2015; 2021-2025). It is also equally gratifying to think that I will lead Brazil to the World Cup.

Is this transformation easy to no longer step on the court every day?

For me, it is indeed the case. The rhythm is completely different. I had to fit into the culture of this country, and that's why I moved to Rio. I found that the Football Association here was organized in an orderly manner.

From the president of the Football Association (Samir Saud) to the director (Caetano), everyone is excellent and full of enthusiasm. Our working atmosphere is very good and we are serious and responsible. I brought my assistant, but I didn't need any more. The organizational structure here is perfect.

People have high expectations for you to coach Brazil. What do you think? On the first day you arrived in Brazil, there were so many fans at the airport. How did you know them?

Since the first day, the Brazilian public has shown great love for me. In fact, here, as long as I go out and whenever I want to go to the beach, it’s… (He paused.) So yes, I really hope we win the World Cup. (He laughed)

The World Cup is not the same as the Champions League to Real Madrid: it is more like an obligation?

has an obligation to strive to win it. No one has the obligation to win. Who is obliged to win in the football world? Even those who think they are the best, not.

Many things can change the final conclusion. I spent six years at Real Madrid but didn't win six Champions League titles. I won three times (2014, 2022, 2024). (He laughed)

In your autobiography (Dream), you once described your time coaching at Juventus: "I realized that my entrepreneurial spirit is more important than my heart."

When signing with the Brazilian team, did you choose your inner or entrepreneurial spirit?

is the inner thought, and coaching Brazil is an honor. I didn't consider the technical level or anything else, I just considered the emotional level.

When I thought of Brazil, the picture that came to my mind was the final against Italy in 1970 (4-1), when there were Pele, Jairzinho, Tostao... Well, I supported the Italian team at that time.

You have been a Sakki assistant coach and represented Italy in the World Cup final in 1994 against Brazil (0-0, 2-3 penalty kick). Now, you coach the Brazilian team. As an Italian, defending the flag of another country, is it easy?

This is not difficult. Isn't

not strange?

This may sound a bit strange, but it is not difficult. Brazil can bring you too many emotional experiences. Now I am a member of this big family.

What if Brazil plays against Italy?

Haha...that's complicated. (He laughed) But let Brazil win…

In your career, you have coached many Brazilian players. In your book, you mention one of your earliest coaching players, Rivaldo, in AC Milan. In his first game, you feel like he's not ready and tell him he'll be on the bench. He replied, "No, Rivaldo won't sit on the bench."

(He laughed) I explained to him that he will still sit on the bench.

Is it easy to make Vinicius substitute?

Of course. I have a good relationship with Vinicius; he listens to me. There has never been a conflict between me and him. But in the national team, you don't end up dealing with these issues often.

Because if a player is not satisfied with his role, no problem, I will call another player. I no longer have the obligation to manage a player throughout the season as I was at a club.

But for a month-long World Cup, the situation is different, right?

One month, that's right. But for all participating players, being able to participate in the World Cup is an achievement in itself.