Carlo Ancelotti has finally explained what went wrong at Real Madrid after he left the club. The Italian coach, now managing Brazil, says it wasn't just about swapping Toni Kroos for Kylian Mbappé.
Speaking to Radio MARCA at the Brazilian FA headquarters, Ancelotti got honest about Madrid's transformation. The team that dominated Europe suddenly struggled, and the legendary coach thinks he knows why.
"Football changes with a few things and the chemistry changes," Ancelotti said. "It's not just changing Kroos for Mbappé. That same year Nacho leaves, Carvajal gets injured and Modric plays less."
The problem, according to Carletto, was losing the old guard all at once. Those veteran players created a special atmosphere in the dressing room. When they left, that magic disappeared overnight.
Why Ancelotti Chose Brazil Over Another Club
After winning another Champions League with Madrid, Ancelotti had plenty of club offers. But he turned them all down for the Brazil national team job.
"I didn't have the idea of going to another club after Madrid," he explained. The chance to manage Brazil and chase a sixth World Cup was too good to refuse.
The job is different from club management. Less stress, fewer games, but more observation. Ancelotti now has to track about 70 Brazilian players who could make his squad. That's not easy, even for someone with his experience.
For punters looking at the World Cup odds, Ancelotti's presence makes Brazil serious contenders. He's never been one to promise results, but you can tell he believes this squad can deliver.
Vinicius Will Shine at the World Cup
Ancelotti had special praise for Vinicius Junior. The Real Madrid winger has struggled with consistency this season, but his former coach isn't worried.
"Vinicius has never failed in important matches," Ancelotti insisted. "I don't remember a semi-final or a quarter-final where Vini has failed. I'm sure he's going to have a great World Cup."
The coach also revealed he still keeps in touch with his former players. After Madrid's comeback against Manchester City, he congratulated Florentino Pérez and messaged Rodrygo to check on him.
About that City match, Ancelotti is confident Madrid will advance. "They're going to need balance and for Valverde to play," he said. Those three goals Valverde scored recently? Even Ancelotti was shocked by that.
He joked that he told Valverde: "It's a shame you don't have a Brazilian passport." Coming from Ancelotti, that's high praise for the Uruguayan midfielder.
The Italian coach believes talent has become harder to showcase in modern football. More intensity doesn't always mean better spectacle. It's a interesting point for anyone analyzing how teams play today versus 20 years ago.
