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Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed he was approached to take charge of his native Italy but chose to reject the offer, insisting he remains fully committed to the Brazil Football Confederation (CBF) and the project he began after leaving Real Madrid.

The veteran Italian coach said his decision had nothing to do with contract negotiations, instead stressing that he felt a responsibility to honour his commitment to Brazil despite the disappointment of the nation's early exit at the 2026 FIFA World Cup .

Ancelotti says commitment to Brazil came first
Speaking to Pedro Ivo Almeida, Ancelotti acknowledged that he had been contacted by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) but said he never seriously considered leaving Brazil.

"It's not a contract issue; that's not the reason," Ancelotti said when asked why he declined Italy's approach.

"It's because I have a commitment to the CBF and to this country, because this country has welcomed me so warmly during this first year.

"I want to stay here. And I thanked the Italian Federation, of course, but I want to stay here because I believe it's right and fair to remain in a country that has welcomed me so warmly, at an institution that has given me the opportunity to work."


The comments came days after former Italy technical director that he had personally approached Ancelotti about becoming Italy's next manager following the country's failure to qualify for a third consecutive FIFA World Cup.

Maldini and Ancelotti share a long-standing relationship, having played together at AC Milan before Maldini later captained the club under Ancelotti between 2001 and 2009.

Italy looked at several candidates
After Ancelotti turned down the opportunity, Italy continued its search for a new head coach.

According to ESPN, the FIGC also approached former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola , who likewise declined the position.

Plans to appoint former Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo also collapsed amid political concerns surrounding a sponsorship agreement involving Russian betting company Fonbet.

The federation ultimately turned back to Roberto Mancini , who was confirmed on Monday as Italy manager for a second spell.

Mancini had previously guided Italy to the UEFA European Championship title in 2021 before resigning unexpectedly in August 2023 to accept a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia.

Mancini apologises for previous departure
Speaking publicly after returning to the role, Mancini apologised for the manner in which he left the national team three years earlier.

"I'm very sorry," Mancini said.

"It was like losing the woman of your life. And it means you did something that shouldn't have been done.

"So I'm sorry, very sorry also for everything that happened over these last three years.

"I'm going to try to bring the national team back where it belongs."

The 61-year-old also accepted responsibility for the breakdown in communication that preceded his departure.

"It was completely my fault," Mancini said, referring to his relationship with former FIGC president Gabriele Gravina.


Italy's coaching vacancy followed one of the darkest periods in the nation's modern football history after a playoff defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina ended hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, extending the Azzurri's absence from football's biggest tournament to a third consecutive edition.

The defeat prompted the resignations of both federation president Gabriele Gravina and head coach Gennaro Gattuso.

Brazil exit has not changed Ancelotti's plans
Ancelotti took charge of Brazil shortly after leaving Real Madrid and signed a contract extension with the CBF in May that keeps him in the role through the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

His first major tournament ended in disappointment as Brazil suffered a shock Round of 16 defeat to Norway, their earliest World Cup exit since 1990.

Despite the setback, the 67-year-old said his focus remains on rebuilding the national team.

"The World Cup result wasn't good; it disappointed everyone, and we're all sad," Ancelotti said.

"But we have to look back at what's already happened with one eye and look toward the future with the other, because this next group of players — this country has talented players — and we can build a positive future."

Brazil preparing for a new generation
Ancelotti also indicated that Brazil are entering a period of transition following the World Cup.

The Italian coach suggested several experienced internationals could make way for younger players as the five-time world champions begin a new cycle ahead of the 2030 tournament.

Brazil's all-time leading goalscorer Neymar is among those set to depart after reaffirming his decision to retire from international football earlier this week.

"I believe that, historically, one generation comes to an end and another must take its place; it has to be better than the last," Ancelotti said.

When asked about senior players including Alisson Becker, Casemiro, Danilo and Alex Sandro, all of whom are 33 or older, Ancelotti did not completely rule out their continued involvement but made clear that significant changes are expected.

"What we think is that some might make the squad, but we have to look toward a new cycle, and we're going to look toward a new cycle and bring in new players," he said.

"It's a chapter that's coming to an end. Obviously, we have to thank all of them, and I have a lot of affection for all of them."

Having rejected the opportunity to manage his homeland, Ancelotti has made clear that his priority remains restoring Brazil to the top of international football, with his attention now firmly fixed on building the team's next generation ahead of the 2030 World Cup.