Ancelotti: ‘Italy already have a great coach, but Brazil called me’ | OneFootball

During his presentation press conference as new Brazil manager, Carlo Ancelotti explained why he didn’t decide to lead Italy instead. ‘Because they already have a great coach in Luciano Spalletti.’

He becomes the first ever Italian to be placed in charge of the legendary Seleçao and was introduced to the media in a lengthy event in Rio de Janeiro this evening.

Most of the questions were in Portuguese, while he answered them all in Spanish, including the ones that were put to him in Italian.

Ancelotti denies snubbing Italy for Brazil

epa12137404 Italian Carlo Ancelotti attends a press conference where he was presented as new head coach of men’s Brazilian national soccer team in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 26 May 2025. EPA-EFE/Antonio Lacerda

One of the reporters present asked why the Italian coach had chosen to begin his international management career for Brazil rather than the Azzurri.

“Because at this moment they have a coach who is my friend, Luciano Spalletti, and Italy never called me,” replied Ancelotti.

“They never called me because they already have a great coach. Brazil called, I am very proud to be here, because the history books show Brazil is the best national team in the world, having won five World Cup trophies. It is a huge responsibility on me to win a sixth.”

Ancelotti on Brazil and Italy history

epa12137461 Italian Carlo Ancelotti attends a press conference where he was presented as new head coach of men’s Brazilian national soccer team in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 26 May 2025. Ancelotti announced his first squad list for Brazil’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay. EPA-EFE/Andre Coelho

Italy are next in line with four trophies, but have not even qualified for the last two editions, missing out in 2018 and 2022.

“Football has eras and generations, these can affect the results. I believe Italy and Brazil will be competitive again next year,” noted the coach.

“Italy worked really hard and Brazil have always been at a high level. For example, Brazil had arguably the best squad in 1982, but Italy won because you need to combine talent with the spirit of sacrifice and hard work in order to succeed.”

Although Ancelotti has said he was contacted in the past to take over the Italy job, at that time he was still committed to club football and said he would miss the day to day experience of training.

Now that he is about to turn 66 next month, his lifestyle is changing, and Real Madrid were ready to move on too, so the timing of the Brazil role lined up perfectly for him in a way that Italy simply did not.

He is still looking to his home country, as there were two Serie A players in his first Brazil squad, namely Inter defender Carlos Augusto and Atalanta midfielder Ederson.

“They had a very good season, that is why I called them. Carlos Augusto is playing the Champions League Final in a few days, while Ederson had an excellent campaign for Atalanta,” explained Ancelotti.