Carlo Ancelotti: Casemiro hails Brazil for hiring ‘exceptional, incredible’ Real Madrid boss - ‘It had to be him’
By Will Conroy
Published 16/05/2025 at 14:02 GMT+1
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Casemiro has expressed his delight at the announcement that Carlo Ancelotti will be Brazil's new head coach, saying the nation "needed a big name, who commands respect". The Italian will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season, having won 15 trophies in two spells at the club. Casemiro, who played under Ancelotti for three seasons, believes he will get the most out of Brazil's star players.
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Casemiro has said Brazil "needed a big name" like Carlo Ancelotti following the news the Italian will become the national team’s new head coach.
The Real Madrid manager will officially take charge of the South American nation on May 26, following the conclusion of the La Liga season.
Casemiro played under Ancelotti for three seasons at Real Madrid, winning two Champions Leagues and one La Liga title in that time, and has expressed his delight at the appointment.
The Manchester United midfielder told ESPN Brasil: "After Tite left, I think it had to be him. Brazil needed professionals like him, Brazil needed a big name like him, someone who commands respect.
"This guy is exceptional. This guy is incredible, the way he talks about football, the way he understands football.
"Let's enjoy it, because regardless of whether he wins or loses, when this guy talks about football, he has charisma, a power to make players perform at their best, to get the most out of them, to bring out their best qualities."
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Following Tite’s departure in 2022, Brazil had two caretaker managers before the appointment of Dorival Junior, who was sacked in March following the 4-1 loss against Argentina in World Cup qualifying.
Despite losing five of their 14 games, Brazil currently sit fourth in the South American group and are still well positioned to qualify for next year's tournament.
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Ancelotti, who is set to become the first permanent foreign head coach of Brazil, is thought to have agreed a contract until after next year's World Cup.
Casemiro will be 34 years old during the finals in North America and regrets not having the opportunity to play for a longer spell under Ancelotti for Brazil.
"I'm happy that a coach of such stature is coaching the Brazilian national team, [but] I'm a little sad that it's only for a short time. Because, man, I say that I know him personally, I know him very well, and just one year... it's not enough time," he said.
"We needed more. For me, in my opinion, given the circumstances, he should have been there before."
The United midfielder has not been selected for his national team since October 2023, but has said there is added motivation for a return following Ancelotti’s appointment.
"It's difficult to talk about returning to the national team," he added. "It's inevitable when you talk about the greatness of a coach like that, you're closer to winning. Of course, I'll say it again, it's not certain that Brazil will win now.
"But when you have a coach of that stature and he goes to the Brazilian national team, of course you feel like it, of course you want to return to the Brazilian national team."
Ancelotti, who has won 15 trophies during two spells as Real manager, will take charge of Brazil for the first time in next month’s qualifiers against Paraguay and Ecuador.
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