Carlo Ancelotti downplays Brazil manager links
Real Madrid's Carlo Ancelotti has played down rumours that he is set to be appointed the new Brazil manager.
Ancelotti has been heavily linked with the vacant Brazil managerial post in recent months, and although he has long dismissed the speculation, things have ramped up during the international break.
Indeed, CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues even told Reuters that the legendary coach was the frontrunner for the job.
"Ancelotti is unanimously respected among players," Rodrigues explained. "Not only Ronaldo Nazario or Vinicius Jr but all those that have played for him. I really admire him for his honesty in the way he works and how constant his work is. He needs no introductions. He is really a top coach who he has several achievements and we hope he can have even more.
"Ancelotti is not only the players' favourite but it seems the fans' too. Everywhere I go in Brazil, in every stadium, he is the first name the supporters ask me about.
"They talk about him in a very affectionate way, in recognition of an exemplary work he has done in his career. Let's have faith in God, wait for the appropriate time and we'll see if we can make it happen as we look for the new coach of the Brazilian national team."
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Despite this interest, in conversation with Marca, Ancelotti insisted that he is happy at Real Madrid and would be keen to stay at the club for the remainder of his career.
"I want to stay at Real Madrid," he stressed. "I'm happy. I have said many times that I would stay at Real Madrid for the rest of my life."
The Real boss has never hidden his desire to keep working with Real and previously confirmed that he would retire from management whenever his spell at the Santiago Bernabeu comes to an end, dismissing the links to the Brazil job in the process.
Brazil's recent form
The Selecao played one game during the March international break under caretaker manager Mano Menezes, and it was a game that didn't exactly go to plan.
Brazil faced off against World Cup semi-finalists Morocco in a friendly in Tangier, but ended up falling to a 2-1 defeat.