Brazilian FA president: Ancelotti is 'favourite' among players to become manager

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti would be the obvious choice to become the new manager of Brazil, according to the president of the country's football association.

Ancelotti has been tipped to become the next manager of Brazil ever since they parted ways with Tite after their quarter-final exit to Croatia at the World Cup.

The Italian, who works with Brazilian players including Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo at the Santiago Bernabeu, has previously dismissed speculation linking him with the job.

However, Brazilian FA president Ednaldo Rodrigues, has admitted that he is the favoured option among players and supporters, and has spoken of his own personal admiration for Ancelotti.

He told Reuters: '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 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 the 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.'

Rodrigues' comments will only add fuel to the fire to speculation that Ancelotti will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season.

Despite speaking highly of the Italian, Rodrigues pointed out that Brazil must be careful to respect the due process as Ancelotti is under contract with Real Madrid until 2024.

He said that no formal contact or approach has so far been made by the Brazilian FA with Ancelotti or any other manager and that they will start to talk to the candidates in mid-April with the objective of announcing their new coach by the end of May.

'We will be very ethical in our approach and respect the contracts that are in place. We also greatly respect the work that is done by any coach and his club to get there and make any kind of approach, it would be a lack of respect for the president of the clubs in question,' Rodrigues said.

'Therefore, we have the patience to wait for the right moment so that we can hold these conversations.

'Nothing is really defined yet to say the name (of the next coach) for sure, but it's within this line, you understand? We need a coach who has the players' respect and admiration.'

Ancelotti, whose only previous experience of international management came as an assistant with Italy in the 1990s, said last month that it was his intention to see out his present deal with the Spanish giants.

'My situation is pretty clear. I have a contract until 2024,' said Ancelotti ahead of their Club World Cup win over Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal.