Brazil want Ancelotti or Jorge Jesus before Club World Cup

Brazil want Carlo Ancelotti or Jorge Jesus to be their new head coach and aim to appoint Dorival Junior's successor before the Club World Cup begins in June.

Ancelotti's Real Madrid and Jesus' Al Hilal are both competing in the tournament, which is being hosted in the United States from 14 June to 13 July.

Brazil have crucial World Cup qualifiers before then, facing Ecuador away on 4 June and Paraguay at home on 9 June. The Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) wants its new coach in place for those fixtures. Brazil currently sit fourth in the 10-team CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying group, with six teams able to qualify automatically for next summer's tournament. Argentina lead the standings, followed by Ecuador in second and Uruguay in third.

For Ancelotti, 65, or Jesus, 70, to take the role, they may need to leave their respective clubs—European champions Real Madrid and Saudi Pro League champions Al Hilal—before the Club World Cup. Jesus is open to making the move immediately, according to sources close to him, who spoke anonymously to protect relationships. His contract with Al Hilal is set to expire at the end of the tournament.

The CBF have approached Ancelotti about the position, having previously done so in 2022 and 2023. Madrid ended that speculation by extending the Italian's contract until 2026. The Spanish club maintain they are unaware of any recent contact between Ancelotti and the five-time World Cup winners.

Sources within the CBF, speaking anonymously to protect their positions, have described Ancelotti as "the president's dream" candidate, with Jesus also seen as a leading contender.

Since returning to Madrid in 2021, Ancelotti has won 10 trophies, including a La Liga and Champions League double in 2023-24. This season, Madrid are second in La Liga behind Barcelona, in the Copa del Rey semi-finals and the Champions League quarter-finals.

In January, Ancelotti stated that his "departure date" from Madrid "is never going to be decided by me in my life", suggesting that he and club president Florentino Pérez would leave together in 2029 when Pérez's current term ends. However, Ancelotti is now more open to assessing his options.

Talks have taken place this season between Real Madrid and representatives of Xabi Alonso, the Bayer Leverkusen coach, according to The Athletic.

Ancelotti's stance appears to be shifting due to the accumulated strain of four years in Madrid, as well as what he perceives as leaks from club insiders casting doubt on his future. He is also well aware of the club's discussions with Alonso.

Another significant factor is the future of his son and assistant coach, Davide, who decided some time ago that this would be his final season at Madrid. Should Davide depart in the summer as planned, it would be a major blow to Ancelotti both professionally and personally.

These factors have all contributed to Ancelotti reconsidering his position at Madrid, regardless of Brazil's interest. However, Madrid remain confident that he wishes to stay.

Portuguese coach Jesus is in his second spell at Al Hilal, having rejoined the club in 2023 after previously managing them between 2018 and 2019. Al Hilal won the Saudi Pro League and the King's Cup last season and currently sit second in the league, four points behind Al Ittihad. Jesus signed a one-year contract extension following the club's successful 2023-24 campaign.

Al Hilal will already be without their star player at the Club World Cup, following the mutual termination of Neymar's contract. Brazil's record goalscorer has since returned to his boyhood club, Santos.