Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that he received an offer to coach his native Italy but turned down the position because he remains committed to leading the Brazilian national team.
Paolo Maldini, then a director with the Italian Football Federation, who played alongside Ancelotti and later under him at AC Milan between 2001 and 2009, told reporters last week that he had approached Ancelotti about taking charge after the Azzurri failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time.
Explaining his decision to reject Italy’s offer, Ancelotti told ESPN: “It’s not about the contract. That’s not the reason. The reason is my commitment to the Brazilian Football Confederation and to this country, because this country welcomed me very warmly during my first year.”
“I want to stay here. Of course, I thanked the Italian federation, but I want to remain here because I believe it is right and fair to stay in a country that welcomed me warmly and with an organization that gave me the opportunity to work,” he added.
Following Ancelotti’s decision, former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola also rejected an offer from the Italian federation. Plans to appoint Andrea Pirlo then collapsed amid political concerns surrounding a sponsorship deal with a Russian betting company, before Roberto Mancini was confirmed as Italy’s new head coach last Monday.
Ancelotti signed a contract extension with the Brazilian Football Confederation in May that will keep him in charge through the 2030 World Cup. The Italian coach initially took over Brazil shortly after leaving Real Madrid a year ago.
Under Ancelotti, Brazil suffered their earliest World Cup exit since 1990, losing 2-1 to Norway in the Round of 16.
The 67-year-old coach said he still has unfinished business with Brazil.
“The World Cup result was not good. We disappointed everyone, and we are all sad. But we have to look at the past with one eye and the future with the other because this next group of players — and this country has talented players — can build a bright future,” Ancelotti said.
Ancelotti is preparing to move forward with a revamped squad, with several veteran players likely to be replaced by younger talent. Among those no longer involved is Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, who has announced his retirement from international football.
“Historically, one generation comes to an end and another has to replace it. The new generation has to be better than the previous one,” he said.
Asked about players such as Alisson Becker, Casemiro, Danilo and Alex Sandro, all aged 33 or older, Ancelotti did not rule out their continued involvement with the national team but made clear that changes are coming.
“We believe some of them may still be part of the team, but we have to look toward a new cycle. We will begin a new cycle and bring in new players,” he said.
“It is a chapter that is coming to an end. Obviously, we have to thank all of them, and I have great affection for every one of them,” Ancelotti concluded.
