Fabio Capello believes Carlo Ancelotti must rely on Vini Jr., Rodrygo and Eder Militao when he takes over at Brazil and reassures Real Madrid that the Italian tactician won’t be distracted by the Seleçao.
Ancelotti will be appointed as Brazil’s head coach in 2024 at the end of his contract with Real Madrid, Ednaldo Rodrigues revealed on Wednesday.
Capello discussed Ancelotti’s appointment in an interview published in Thursday’s printed edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (page 27).
“He [Ancelotti] is the best. You don’t win everywhere, in Europe, if you are not excellent. He even won with Real Madrid, the most demanding club and Madrid are similar to Brazil,” noted the ex-coach who has won two La Liga titles with the Merengues.
“You can make no mistake and they [Brazil] have chosen somebody who doesn’t make many errors.”
Ancelotti will oversee the Brazilian national team for the 2024 Copa America and the 2026 World Cup. It will be his first time in charge of a national team. Capello coached England and Russia so he gave some tips to his compatriot.
“There is no time to coach, no time to form a group, generally, there is not enough time with national teams,” he said.
“He’d be lucky to find a solid group of players and some leaders who can listen. Then, of course, you need them to be in shape at the right moment. For example, with England, my players used to run like crazy for the entire season but were exhausted when they played for the national team. Look at Manchester City in the Champions League Final against Inter. They were not the team we knew.”
What will he need to succeed with the Seleçao?
“He must renew and rely on those he knows. Vinicius, Rodrygo, Militao…Luckily many others have played under him at a club level, such as Richarlison, Casemiro and Marquinhos,” said Capello.
“He must follow them with their clubs but it’s quite easy given that almost all of them play in Europe.”
Real Madrid have not reacted to the announcement from the President of the Brazilian FA and Capello believes the La Liga giants should not be concerned about Ancelotti’s commitment in his last season in the Spanish Capital.
“No distraction, there is no such risk, Carlo is too smart and prepared,” he argued.
“It will give him extra motivation to leave Madrid well and show he was not focused on Brazil and in Madrid, you have no time to think.”