Italian legend Carlo Ancelotti is often the coolest man on the touchline and explains why that calm demeanour continues at the World Cup with Brazil. ‘I can’t run, I’ll tear my knee.’
He has won everything possible at club level, the only coach in history to have success in Serie A, the Premier League, LaLiga, Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga.
Also the most successful tactician in the Champions League, he took on a new challenge with international football, taking Brazil to the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
He spoke to the Folha De Sau Paulo newspaper ahead of the Round of 16 clash with Norway, and you can read some more of his comments here.
Ancelotti won’t do samba on touchline
Ancelotti is best known for his calm demeanour on the touchline even after a last-gasp winner against Japan, so why didn’t he run onto the pitch to celebrate with his players?
“I can’t run, because I’ll tear my knee. I’m 67 years old,” smiled Ancelotti.
“Besides, when Martinelli scored the goal, there were still a few minutes left. I can’t celebrate because it’s happened to me too many times, a game that I thought was already over then ended badly.
“I could’ve celebrated when the match was truly over, but when a game like that ends, the feeling is more one of relief than happiness.”
Both Italy and Brazil are very Catholic countries, so does he pray on the touchline when his teams are in tricky situations?
“I am Catholic, but I also think God has more important problems to think about.”
There was perhaps one thing that made Ancelotti worry more during the Japan match in the Round of 32.
“I forgot my chewing gum in the locker room against Japan, so I didn’t chew gum during that match.”
Brazil hired Ancelotti because he is one of the world’s great man managers, and already has a strong rapport with several of the players that he worked with at Real Madrid.
“One of the hardest things the team did during this period was change the mindset. Now they seem more confident, with less anxiety. We’re prepared for anything that might happen. We might concede a goal, but we’re ready to react.”
Teams like Brazil and Italy are expected to win and therefore shoulder huge pressure, so fans are quick to criticise.
“In Italy, they say all men want to be coaches and all women want to be architects,” replied Ancelotti.
“I’m 100 per cent certain that I’m not a genius. But I am also 100 per cent certain that I’m not stupid. There is pressure, but it’s an honour for me to be here and coach the Brazil national team. And because it’s an honour, I accept the criticism.”
