What is delaying Brazil-Carlo Ancelotti deal? The OTHER contenders for head coach are...

The ‘Carlo Ancelotti to Brazil’ rumour started all the way back in 2022, soon after the Selecao crashed out of the Qatar World Cup and head coach Tite stepped down. Now, two-and-a-half years later, it is finally close to happening.

 

On April 29, football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano posted on X that Ancelotti and Brazil had reached an agreement in principle for the Italian to become head coach for the 2026 World Cup. He also said his tenure would start in June, and that Real Madrid and Ancelotti would part ways “nicely”. Really, Real, “nicely”?

 

One day later, Romano updated that Real were blocking Ancelotti’s move as they did not want to pay any exit fee for his salary. The next day, Romano said negotiations were on the “verge of collapsing”—Real would not pay an exit fee and Brazil would not wait too long.

 

The most recent update (14 hours ago) said that Brazil are waiting a little longer. But, unless Real and Ancelotti work out the terms of his exit, the federation would call the deal off and look elsewhere.

 

For the uninitiated, Ancelotti’s exit is not as complicated as it is being made to look. He has one more year left in his contract at Real and if the club sack him – as it most assuredly would want to do after this season – it would have to pay him his full salary for the remaining one year or for whatever period the contract stipulates (Real reportedly pay managers a six-month severance package irrespective of length of the remaining contract). But, if Ancelotti leaves to take charge of a national team, there could be a significant reduction in his settlement. Real would also expect a fee from the federation for releasing the coach from his contract.

 

Ancelotti, who knows he is unlikely to get another big club job after he dips his toes in ‘international waters’ at the age of 65, wants a final payout from Real, similar to what he would get if he were terminated. However, Real are unlikely to agree to this. A possible solution is Real paying a portion of Ancelotti’s severance package, with Brazil making up the shortfall and also paying Real a fee. Given that Brazil are keen to get Ancelotti in and are seemingly prepared to spend big to make it happen, the final deal, if it happens, is likely to be along these lines.

 

However, financial wrangling by Real and Ancelotti could cost both—the chance to get rid of Ancelotti cheaply for Real; the prestigious Brazil job for the coach. Brazil are said to have given Don Carlo a deadline and are considering options such as Jorge Jesus, the Portuguese coach who left Al Hilal on May 3, and Abel Ferreira, another Portuguese but currently enjoying a successful stint with Brazilian giants Palmeiras.

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