The Brazilian federation is considering to appoint Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti this summer after head coach Dorival Junior was fired by Brazil after a record 4-1 loss to Argentina in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying. This rumor emerged already in the early months of 2023 when the Brazilian federation wanted to hire the Italian coach for the 2024 Copa America, but then Ancelotti committed to Real Madrid with a new deal and decided to stay in charge of the Spanish giants.
The idea of hiring one of the coaches with the most titles in the history of the game is still in the air, but it would be unusual as only three non-Brazilian coaches have been hired for the job, and all managers that won the five World Cups with Brazil were also Brazilian. It’s a widely held belief that national teams should mostly be managed by coaches from their home country; however latest examples like Thomas Tuchel for England and Mauricio Pochettino for the U.S. men’s national team show that federations continue to explore international options to find that coveted coach who can lead them to victory.
Here are some suggestions for European managers for the national teams:
Argentina: Pep Guardiola
Lionel Scaloni has done something remarkable with Argentina, winning the Copa America in 2021 and 2024 and, most notably, the 2022 Qatar World Cup in penalties against France. While Scaloni has considered leaving the job in 2023, he is currently fully in charge leading his national team to the 2026 World Cup.
Guardiola, under contract with Manchester City until summer 2027, has previously expressed interest in coaching a national team. Although difficult, he could potentially replace a successful coach like Scaloni, who has ushered Argentina into a new golden era.
United States: Jose Mourinho
In this hypothetical scenario, it’s important to include Jose Mourinho, who was close to managing Portugal in January 2023 but decided to stay with AS Roma. Mourinho’s bond with the U.S. is notable, having spent pre-seasons with Chelsea and Inter at UCLA. He could elevate the USMNT similar to what he achieved at AS Roma with their first UEFA trophy.
Mexico: Mikel Arteta
With Mexico hosting the 2026 World Cup, a big step is necessary. Current coach Javier Aguirre shows promise, but a profile like Arteta’s fits well—being a young coach focused on player development could help guide Mexico in the coming years.
Brazil: Jurgen Klopp
While Carlo Ancelotti is seen as the dream for Brazil, Klopp would be an excellent fit for someone with experience to manage numerous stars. Should Klopp return to coaching, it’s more likely it will be a national team rather than a club.
