OFFICIAL: Carlo Ancelotti appointed Brazil manager

Less than a day after Real Madrid's 4-2 defeat to Barcelona in Sunday's 'Clasico', Carlo Ancelotti is preparing for his exit from the Spanish capital and his new journey at the helm of the Brazil national team.

"The greatest national team in the history of football will now be led by the most successful coach in the world," reads a statement from the five-time World Cup winners released on Monday.

The Italian was unveiled as head coach of the Canarinha on Monday after months of speculation regarding his future at Real Madrid. After replacing Dorival Junior, who was dismissed in March, he will begin working on May 26 after the end of the 2024/25 La Liga season.

Ancelotti will therefore oversee Real Madrid's final league games against Mallorca, Sevilla and Real Sociedad before leaving. He will lead Brazil until the 2026 World Cup, but will make his debut in the World Cup qualifier against Ecuador on June 6.

On the 65-year-old's appointment, Brazilian Football Federation president Ednaldo Rodrigues said: "Bringing Carlo Ancelotti to lead Brazil is more than a strategic move. It is a statement to the world that we are determined to reclaim the top spot on the podium.

"He is the greatest coach in history, and now he is leading the greatest national team on the planet. Together, we will write new glorious chapters for Brazilian football."

New chapter after a dismal season

The  65-year-old's exit has been a long time coming after a difficult campaign for him and his beloved Real Madrid side. Hampered by injury issues, among other problems, Ancelotti finished the season without any major trophies.

Los Blancos crashed out of the Champions League after being demolished by Arsenal in the quarter-finals, and lost all hopes of conquering major silverware after failing to match up to Barcelona, led by the stellar Hansi Flick.

Ancelotti lost all four of his 'Clasico' meetings with Flick this term, two of them in domestic cup finals. The sucker punch came in Sunday's showdown at the Montjuic, with Barca's spirited fightback leaving Madrid seven points behind in the title race with three games to go

The Merengues were successful in avoiding a complete trophy drought in 2024/25, as they won the UEFA Super Cup against Atalanta at the start of the season before sealing the FIFA Intercontinental Cup on December 18 against Pachuca.

Ancelotti will look to put the dismal season behind him, with his debut in international management approaching. He will be Brazil's first foreign coach since 1965 and will be tasked with sealing a record-extending sixth World Cup triumph at the finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Brazil forwards Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes have both flourished under Ancelotti at Real Madrid and are key players for the national team. Centre-back Eder Militao and teenage prodigy Endrick also both play at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The South American giants have only reached the semi-finals once in the last five World Cups, when they suffered a humiliating 7-1 defeat on home soil against Germany in 2014. Ednaldo will be hoping Ancelotti can help restore Brazil's reputation as the leading force in international football.