Why Brazil Have Turned To Carlo Ancelotti

Welcome to It Was What It Was , the football history podcast. This week, co-hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper explore a landmark moment in the sport: Brazil, for the first time in its storied history, has appointed a sole foreign manager, Carlo Ancelotti. As he prepares to lead the Seleção in his first match on Friday against Ecuador, the episode unpacks the significance of his move to Brazil. They examine Ancelotti’s coaching philosophy, tracing its roots to his mentor Nils Liedholm and the enduring influence of Hungarian football. The conversation spans decades and continents—from the intellectual cafés of Budapest to the shifting tactical landscape of South America. Along the way, they reflect on the evolution of Brazilian coaching and the global reach of Hungarian tactical innovation. Join them for a compelling look at the past, present, and future of football strategy, and discover how Ancelotti’s arrival in Brazil could be a return to their roots. 00:00 Introduction and Personal Anecdotes 00:37 Historic Day for Brazil: Foreign Manager Appointed 01:15 Carlo Ancelotti's Coaching Philosophy 01:55 Brazil's Foreign Coaching History 04:56 The Dominance of Argentinian Coaches in South America 06:04 Brazilian Football's Tactical Evolution 10:30 Hungarian Influence on Brazilian Football 20:56 Brazil's World Cup Preparations and Challenges 26:13 Brazil's Struggles Against European Teams 27:49 Modern Era: Brazil's Coaching Crisis 29:11 Analysing the Decline of Brazilian Football 30:01 The Influence of European Coaching 30:22 The Role of Brazilian Midfielders 30:37 Recent Brazilian Coaches and Their Struggles 31:38 The Turning Point: Italy 1982 32:10 Introduction to Carlo Ancelotti's Appointment 32:49 Carlo Ancelotti's Mentorship and Legacy 35:27 The Hungarian Influence on Modern Football 38:33 The Swedish Connection and Coaching Philosophy 40:22 The Rise of IFK Norrköping 48:28 The Formation of the Gre-No-Li Trio 51:27 Carlo Ancelotti's Impact on Brazilian Football 55:12 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.