Brazilian Football Confederation turmoil throws Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil appointment into chaos
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) are in turmoil, casting doubt on Carlo Ancelotti's potential appointment as the Brazilian national team coach in January.
Carlo Ancelotti.With less than six months left on his current contract with Real Madrid, Ancelotti's move to Brazil is now in jeopardy due to a recent development, as reported by Joaquim Piera of Sport.
A court in Rio de Janeiro has ousted CBF President Ednaldo Rodrigues, a key supporter of Ancelotti's potential hiring. In his place, an interim administrator has been appointed to lead the Brazilian football organization with the mission of organizing elections within the next 30 days.
However, the CBF have appealed to a higher court to overturn Rodrigues' removal, creating a legal entanglement.
Even if the CBF ultimately prevail in this legal battle, the instability within the organization makes it unlikely for Ancelotti to formally commit to becoming the Brazilian head coach by January 1st, considering his Real Madrid contract expiration.
Brazilian media suggest that former CBF presidents, Ricardo Teixeira and Marco Polo Del Nero, orchestrated a coup against Ednaldo Rodrigues and his associates. In late November, former footballer turned senator, Romario, had warned that these two figures might attempt a return to the CBF, despite being banned for life from football by FIFA due to the 'Fifagate' corruption scandal.
The pretext for Rodrigues' ousting is believed to be a change in CBF electoral rules introduced just before the 2022 elections, leading to the current president's victory.
In recent days, FIFA and CONMEBOL have issued official statements noting that they are closely monitoring the situation in their Brazilian affiliate to prevent interference in this institutional crisis.
Meanwhile, Fernando Diniz remains the interim coach of Brazil, contracted until July 2024, despite the team's poor performance in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. Brazil have lost their last three matches, currently languishing in a disappointing sixth place. Diniz, who also manages Fluminense, will juggle his responsibilities as Brazil's interim coach while leading Fluminense in the upcoming Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia.
The prospect of Carlo Ancelotti's appointment, a personal choice of Ednaldo Rodrigues, now seems like a distant possibility. It's not just that the Italian coach has refrained from publicly expressing his willingness to lead Brazil; the institutional crisis within the CBF is affecting all sporting decisions related to the Selecao.