Brazil’s Football Confederation (CBF) has officially ended its pursuit of Carlo Ancelotti and instead reached an agreement with Jorge Jesus to become the first foreign manager in the Seleção’s storied history.
.jpg "Brazil abandons Ancelotti, turns to Jorge Jesus for Historic Appointment")
According to SPORT, CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues grew frustrated with the prolonged uncertainty surrounding Ancelotti’s availability. Despite months of speculation linking the Real Madrid manager to the Brazil job, the federation has opted for a more committed alternative in Jesus, who currently coaches Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia.
The Portuguese tactician has reportedly given his approval to the CBF and agreed to terms on a contract that will run through the 2026 World Cup. Unlike Ancelotti, who was unwilling to miss the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, Jesus has demonstrated his commitment by accepting all of Brazil’s conditions.
While official announcements will be delayed until after this summer’s Copa America, all major details have been finalized. Jesus may even step down from his Al-Hilal position before the Saudi league concludes on May 26 to begin preparations with the five-time world champions.
This appointment represents a significant shift in Brazilian football philosophy. The Seleção has traditionally relied exclusively on homegrown coaching talent, with icons like Tite, Luiz Felipe Scolari, and Carlos Alberto Parreira leading the national team in recent decades. Jesus will bring his tactical acumen and experience from successful spells at Benfica, Flamengo, and in Saudi Arabia to a team seeking to reclaim its position at the summit of international football.
Meanwhile, Ancelotti’s future at Real Madrid remains uncertain following their disappointing 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Champions League quarterfinals. With Brazil no longer an option, the Italian’s potential career paths have narrowed considerably should Madrid president Florentino Perez decide to make a change this summer.
Brazil’s decision signals their determination to rebuild quickly after disappointing performances in recent major tournaments, including a quarterfinal exit at the 2022 World Cup.
