Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is favourite to be named as the next manager of the Brazilian national team.
Following six years in charge, Tite stepped down as Brazil head coach after their World Cup exit in December 2022. Brazil under-20 gaffer Ramon Menezes was named interim manager of the full side in February, but the Selecao are still on the hunt for a permanent boss.
Reports that Ancelotti had agreed to take the role began to surface earlier this year, but the 63-year-old has remained steadfast in his commitment to Real Madrid and a contract that expires next year.
However, it’s easy to see why the Brazilian Football Confederation have their sights on the Italian and Ancellotti is 11/8 to take up the role.
We take a look at the full list of runners and riders in the race to become Brazil’s latest manager...
Carlo Ancelotti (11/8)
Ancelotti is the most decorated manager in Champions League history. The 63-year-old has won Europe’s top prize on four occasions and the Italian is also the first and only manager ever to have won league titles in all of Europe's top-five leagues.
Ancelotti has enjoyed two spells in charge of Real Madrid, as well as time in the dugout at Chelsea, Milan, PSG, Bayern Munich, Napoli and Juventus and the 63-year-old lifted two Champions League crowns during his time in charge of Milan and two with Real Madrid.
The Italian’s record speaks for itself, and while the Brazil job is certainly a big draw in its own right, it’s also less demanding compared to the day-to-day demands of club football and that may suit the 63-year-old at this stage of his career.
Ancelotti has stated his desire to stay in Madrid until the end of next season, but a disappointing La Liga campaign may take that matter out of his hands.
Fernando Diniz (3/1)
Fernando Diniz is next in the betting at 3/1 and the Fluminense boss is an interesting contender.
Diniz is an innovative coach and his style of play has seen him nicknamed the Brazilian Guardiola.
A possession based pass-and-move style would be well suited to the technical nature of the Brazilian national team and it’s unlikely the Selecao will have too much difficulty prizing the 49-year-old away from Fluminense.
However, the Campeonato Carioca crown, won this season with Fluminense, is the first major trophy that Diniz has collected and that lack of winning experience may count against him.
Jorge Jesus (11/2)
It seems unlikely that Jorge Jesus will be staying in Turkey with Fenerbahce next season and the 69-year-old is 11/2 to take up a role with the Selecao.
The Portuguese gaffer had a brief, but successful spell in Brazilian football and his achievements during his time with Flamengo could make Jesus a leading candidate.
The 69-year-old won the Brasileiro, Copa Libertadores, Brazilian Supercup, Recopa and Carioca State Championship in Rio de Janeiro and that will have no doubt drawn the attention of the national team.
Abel Ferreira (10/1)
Palmeiras gaffer Abel Ferreira is another contender for the job and the 44-year-old is a 10/1 chance.
Ferreira landed his first big job when appointed manager of Portuguese side Braga in 2017 and he was then poached by PAOK in 2019. There wasn’t a huge amount of success in Ferreira’s formative years as a manager, but that has changed at Palmeiras.
The 44-year-old led his side to the 2020 Copa Libertadores trophy, he won the Brazilian Cup in 2021 and Palmeiras then retained their Copa Libertadores later that year.
Palmeiras became Brazilian champions in November, which crowned Ferreira the most trophy-laden manager in Brazilian football history. The 44-year-old has age on his side and he could prove an interesting appointment.
Ramon Menezes (11/1)
Menezes has the benefit of already being in the set-up. The Brazilian Under-20 gaffer has been working with the full side, on an interim basis, following Tite’s departure after the 2022 World Cup.
The 50-year-old has managerial experience with the likes of Vasco da Gama and Vitoria and he is 11/1 to land the role on a permanent basis.
Which route will Brazil take?
Ancelotti is the standout name on the list, but it’s no certainty that the Italian will leave Real Madrid this summer.
That leaves Brazil in a tricky spot.
Will they hold out, for what looks to be their number one target, with perhaps Menezes keeping the seat warm, or will they opt to move in a different direction?
Brazil have to recover from a disappointing World Cup performance and it will be interesting to see what their next managerial appointment will be.
