The great Italian coach has been linked with the Selecao job again and if another offer arrives from the CBF, he should accept it

You know how it goes. Real Madrid throw their team of Galacticos onto a pitch. Los Blancos start half-asleep and the first 15 minutes make for pretty grim watching. Maybe Madrid give up a couple of chances. They might even concede first or be generally pretty wasteful with the ball. No intensity, no passion. The murmurs start in the Santiago Bernabeu. On bad nights, they become jeers and boos. And then, it happens. Carlo Ancelotti whispers a few words to his son, Davide, and points around a bit. The singular eyebrow is raised. Suddenly, Madrid are awake. A lowly La Liga side is battered 4-1. Mini-crisis over.

It has been trendy in recent years to suggest that Carlo Ancelotti doesn't really do much as a manager. His signature "eyebrow raise" has become a meme (one easily co-opted for this very piece.) His starting XI, at the beginning of the season, featured four legitimate Ballon d'Or contenders and a bunch of so-called role players that would be stars anywhere else. How hard can managing all of this be? Tricky enough, as it turns out…

But some would argue that Ancelotti's approach is ideally suited to the international arena, which isn't really a space for overly complex tactics because of the time restrictions. It's more a place for harnessing vibes and creating the right atmosphere for an elite group of players to succeed. It makes sense, then, that Brazil are reportedly interested in securing his services once again after sacking Dorival Jr.

Ancelotti rebuffed them last summer by pledging to see out his current Madrid deal and stay at the club until at least 2026. But with the vacancy having reopened, and pieces elsewhere ready to fall into place, the time could be right for the Italian to take on the next forum of management.

Getty Images SportDisastrous Dorival

It's quite easy to see what Brazil need. Their three best footballers – Neymar, Vinicius and Rodrygo – are all true mavericks of the game, unbelievably talented individuals that, when used correctly, are as good as anyone on the planet.

However, managers, especially in recent years, have struggled to figure them out and Dorival was particularly poor in that respect. He was in a constant state of uncertainty as to how to piece it all together.

The midfield trio of Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and – when available – Lucas Paqueta, picked itself. Vinicius was a lock on the left. Rodrygo made sense either off the right or through the middle. Raphinha, in recent months, also worked his way into the side. But there wasn't much fluidity to it all.

The team was stagnant, predictable, and slow. Vinicius was kicked every time he touched the ball – and went on a legendary goal drought. Rodrygo never snuck into the right spaces. Raphinha failed to replicate his electric club form.

It was no surprise when Dorival was sacked. He was a poor manager out of his depth, stuck in the vacuum of Brazilian football for a team that is almost entirely global. What they need, instead, is someone who understands that – and can reach such a group.

AdvertisementAFPThe Ancelotti approach

Ancelotti isn't a tactical genius in the traditional sense. He is not reinventing, repackaging or remodeling football every year. There is no signature 'Ancelotti style'.

Instead, you have a manager who can master the art of the "vibe," bring a lot of very talented individuals together and create the environment – and system – for them to become a connected bunch of virtuosos. At its best, it can be magical, and is exactly what Brazil need.

The Selecao's stars need to be given the space to be their best, and motivated in the right way. Part of it is clear in the press.

Ancelotti routinely praises his players publicly. He called Jude Bellingham "the best player in the world" in December (never mind that he gave Vinicius the same moniker nine months before). He claimed that in Dani Carvajal, Lucas Vazquez and Federico Valverde, he had the top three right-backs in football. Sometimes, positive reinforcement is what's needed.

Getty Images SportThe other side of man-management

But Ancelotti can also be ruthless. He is not one for sentiment, and has shown, repeatedly, that he cares little for the feel-good stuff to break into his dressing room.

He warned Toni Kroos and Luka Modric that they should prepare to move on in early 2023 when both were facing expiring contracts (both stayed). He has hooked Rodrygo, been brutal with the inconsistent Aurelien Tchouameni, and handed big-money teenager Endrick only sparing minutes.

This is a meritocracy that runs both ways. And it works – very, very, very well.

Madrid may be three points behind Barcelona in La Liga – and been on the wrong end of two Clasicos already – but they are still the team to beat in both Spain and Europe. That they have overcome ACL injuries to Carvajal and Eder Militao, and still remained at the top, is a testament to Ancelotti's world-class coaching.

And with two months of the season to go, Los Blancos are well placed to make a run at every remaining trophy.

GettyThe treble target

After beating Real Sociedad in dramatic circumstances midweek, Madrid will play Barcelona for a chance to regain the Copa del Rey.

They are also sure-fire favorites to beat Arsenal in the last eight of the Champions League next week and If Barca do indeed slip up in the title race, it's looking like Madrid will pounce. The upcoming Clasico, on May 11, should be one of the highest-stakes derbies in recent years.

Of course, success will primarily depend on the players. Kylian Mbappe has to keep scoring goals. Vinicius has to keep setting them up. Bellingham has to keep doing a little bit of everything, while the supporting cast behind them hold it down.

But it's also on Ancelotti to put the pieces into place. And there is something to be said for quitting when you're ahead.

Ancelotti has now won 15 trophies across two stints at Madrid. If he wins a fourth Champions League and third league title, he will bring his Blancos tenure to 17. Surprisingly, though, he has never won a treble. Should he complete that feat, there will be nothing more to win. And that, perhaps, is the most compelling reason to walk away.