Brazil name interim coach ahead of Carlo Ancelotti arrival
The Confederação Brasileira de Futebol (CBF) has put some sanity into the soap opera of the manager hunt to follow Tite at the helm of the Seleçao. And, six months after the departure of the last coach, it has decided to officially appoint a new coach, Fernando Diniz, who will be in place on an interim basis until June 2024 just before the Copa America kicks off in the United States. Then, according to the president of the Confederaçao, Ednaldo Rodrigues, Carlo Ancelotti will leave the Real Madrid bench to take the reins of the 'Canarinha' at the continental tournament.
As of Wednesday, when he will be presented at the club's headquarters in Barra da Tijuca (west of Rio de Janeiro), Fernando Diniz will combine the management of Brazil with that of Fluminense.
"It's a dream for anyone, an honour and an enormous pride to be able to provide this service to the Seleçao," said the 49-year-old.
What is most striking in all these moves is the CBF president's conviction that Carlo Ancelotti, with whom he has only a verbal agreement, will leave the Real Madrid bench in June 2024, something he has refused to do now, to become the new Brazil coach.
The Italian coach has not yet defined with the Confederaçao such basic issues as his salary or the formation of his coaching staff. And there is one issue that is not minor, the Copa America will start in June when he will still have a contract with Real Madrid, if he has not been sacked before.
The obsession with Carletto, as if he is the only coach on the planet capable of coaching Brazil, is bewildering. The CBF cares little that the Italian has a contract with Real Madrid.
On top of all this, Fernando Diniz's debut in charge of the 'Canarinha' will take place in the FIFA international break in September when Brazil will begin the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
