[Saba Sports News] Rodrigo Caetano, president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), stated clearly in a recent media interview that Carlo Ancelotti will remain head coach of Brazil through to the conclusion of the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Brazil were eliminated 2-1 by Norway in the World Cup Round of 16, sparking fierce domestic criticism targeting the national team’s displays, Ancelotti’s tactical calls, and the overall direction of Brazilian football. Much of the backlash has fallen on Ancelotti, who has one full year to rebuild the squad. Prior to his appointment, the CBF waited for him to finish his tenure at Real Madrid, during which three caretaker coaches took charge of the Seleção in succession. Addressing the criticism, Caetano commented: “He is our head coach and will stay in post for the entire four-year cycle. A core reason behind our disappointing World Cup campaign is our historic lack of a sound, stable long-term coaching framework, which prevented the national side from completing standardised World Cup preparations. We must not repeat this mistake.”
The editor believes that Ancelotti opted for a tactic of voluntarily ceding possession against Norway. Brazil posted an average possession rate of 58 percent across this World Cup, yet managed only 35 percent in this fixture. Ancelotti failed to get Brazil playing their trademark attractive football, turning the Seleção into a side focused solely on defending.