Exclusive-Ancelotti to Brazil would be a no-brainer, CBF president says

TANGIER, Morocco : Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti would be an obvious choice to fill Brazil's vacant managerial position if he becomes available at the end of the European season, Brazilian FA (CBF) president Ednaldo Rodrigues has told Reuters.

Rodrigues acknowledged that the 63-year-old Italian was his main target and everyone's favourite to be in charge of Brazil whose last coach Tite left the job after they were knocked out of the 2022 World Cup by Croatia in the quarter-finals.

"Ancelotti is unanimously respected among players. Not only Ronaldo Nazario or Vinicius Jr but all those that have played for him," Rodrigues told Reuters in an exclusive interview.

"I really admire him for his honesty in the way he works and how constant his work is. He needs no introductions. He is really a top coach who he has several achievements and we hope he can have even more."

Ancelotti was one of the main topics of conversation this week in the Brazil dressing room ahead of Saturday's friendly against Morocco with several players like Vinicius Jr, Ederson, Rodrygo and Casemiro speaking highly of the Italian.

But according to Rodrigues, Ancelotti fever has already caught on in Brazil too.

"Ancelotti is not only the players' favourite but it seems the fans' too," Rodrigues said. "Everywhere I go in Brazil, in every stadium, he is the first name the supporters ask me about.

"They talk about him in a very affectionate way, in recognition of an exemplary work he has done in his career.

"Let's have faith in God, wait for the appropriate time and we'll see if we can make it happen as we look for the new coach of the Brazilian national team."

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Despite speaking highly of the Italian, Rodrigues pointed out that Brazil must be careful to