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
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