Brazilian football legend Romário has demanded the departure of head coach Carlo Ancelotti following the five-time world champions’ 3-2 defeat to Japan. The former striker has urged the Italian manager to resign and return to club football, arguing that he has failed to demonstrate his renowned coaching abilities at international level.
Despite acknowledging Ancelotti as one of the finest managers in world football, Romário believes his achievements with leading clubs have not translated into success with Brazil. The 1994 World Cup winner expressed his frustration in a strongly worded Instagram post, making it clear that he no longer believes the Italian is the right person to lead the national team.
“Ancelotti, enough is enough! Pack your things and leave,” Romário wrote.
He went on to question the manager’s impact since taking charge of the Seleção, drawing a distinction between his impressive club career and his work with Brazil.
“Nobody is talking about your history. You are one of the greatest coaches I have ever seen in world football, but that is at club level. With the Brazil national team, you have not yet demonstrated your ability. We cannot put up with this for much longer! If you want to continue coaching, return to the clubs where you made your name. Brazil can no longer keep spending money just to watch you,” he added.
Romário also directed his criticism towards Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) president Samir Daoud, calling on him to take decisive action over Ancelotti’s future.
Addressing the federation chief, the former striker said he believed Daoud genuinely wanted the best for Brazilian football. However, he insisted that the president needed to demonstrate the courage to make a difficult decision.
“You are still young. The Brazilian people and I believe that you want what is best for our football. Now you must show the courage to make a decision. Mr President, arrange for Ancelotti to be sent home,” Romário said.
Ancelotti’s contract with Brazil runs until the 2030 World Cup. His appointment brought considerable expectations, given his extensive experience and success at some of Europe’s biggest clubs. However, Romário fears that Brazil could suffer another disappointing World Cup campaign if concerns about the team’s performances are not addressed in time.
The former striker, who helped Brazil win the 1994 World Cup, stressed that representing the national team carries enormous responsibility. He warned that the country could not afford to allow another major tournament to pass without achieving its ambitions.
“The national team shirt is not something to be played with. We are already deeply embarrassed, and we cannot risk allowing another World Cup to slip away like this. Once the World Cup is lost, there will be no point crying about it. The time to act is now,” he said.
The defeat against Japan was also overshadowed by a controversial incident involving Ancelotti, Brazilian forward Raphinha and the match officials.
Brazilian players protested after Japan’s Takumi Minamino was accused of fouling substitute João Gomes shortly before Japan scored their third goal. The Brazilians believed a foul should have been awarded, but the referee allowed play to continue.
Ancelotti was visibly angered by the decision. He left his technical area and entered the pitch to protest, while Raphinha also reacted strongly from the substitutes’ bench. The referee subsequently showed red cards to both the Italian manager and the Brazilian forward.
The dismissals added to Brazil’s frustration on an evening when the team struggled to secure a positive result against Japan. The 3-2 scoreline represented a significant setback for a side whose history and reputation have created enormous expectations among supporters.
Ancelotti arrived in Brazilian football with an outstanding managerial record, having enjoyed success in European club competitions and worked with some of the world’s leading players. However, international management presents a different set of challenges, particularly in terms of preparation time, squad development and the pressure to deliver results in major tournaments.
Romário’s public intervention has brought renewed attention to Ancelotti’s position and the direction of Brazilian football. His criticism also places pressure on the CBF leadership to consider whether the current project is delivering the progress expected by supporters.
With Ancelotti contracted until 2030, any decision about his future would carry significant implications. For now, the federation has the responsibility of assessing the team’s performances and determining the best course of action as Brazil look to strengthen their position ahead of the next World Cup.
