The Brazilian Football Confederation is thinking about hiring Carlo Ancelotti as their coach this summer. This comes after Brazil fired their previous coach, Dorival Junior, following a significant 4-1 defeat to Argentina in a World Cup qualifying match. Rumors about Ancelotti potentially coaching Brazil started in early 2023 when they wanted him for the 2024 Copa America. However, Ancelotti signed a new contract with Real Madrid and stayed with the Spanish club.
The idea of hiring a highly successful manager like Ancelotti is still being considered. It would be somewhat unusual because Brazil has mostly hired Brazilian coaches, especially for their World Cup wins. Generally, it`s common to think national teams should be managed by coaches from their own country. However, recent examples like Thomas Tuchel potentially for England and Mauricio Pochettino for the US men`s team show that football federations are looking globally for the best coach to improve their teams.
While many top national team coaching positions are currently filled, let`s imagine and discuss ideal European coaches for USA, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, and Uruguay:
Argentina: Pep Guardiola
Lionel Scaloni has achieved great success with Argentina, winning the Copa America in both 2021 and 2024, and most importantly, the 2022 World Cup against France. Although Scaloni considered leaving his position in 2023, he is currently committed and will coach Argentina at the 2026 World Cup.
Pep Guardiola`s contract with Manchester City ends in the summer of 2027. He has previously mentioned his interest in coaching a national team at some point, possibly before retiring. While it might be unlikely for him to coach Lionel Messi again due to Messi`s age, Guardiola would be one of the few coaches who could replace a successful coach like Scaloni and continue Argentina`s recent golden period.
Guardiola would be an excellent choice because of his coaching style and the fact that Spanish is his native language, removing any language barrier. This is often a key consideration for national team coaches. Guardiola coaching Argentina at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires would be an iconic moment in football.
United States: Jose Mourinho
In this discussion of coaches, Jose Mourinho must be included. He was close to coaching Portugal in January 2023 but decided to remain with AS Roma, especially after winning the UEFA Conference League in 2022. Mourinho has always had a connection with the United States, often choosing UCLA for preseason training camps with Chelsea and Inter Milan. With the USMNT, Mourinho`s task would be similar to his role at AS Roma – to elevate the team to a higher level, similar to how he led Roma to their first European trophy. Pochettino is currently the coach and will lead the U.S. at the World Cup, but a poor performance, like a group-stage exit, could lead to changes.
Mexico: Mikel Arteta
Mexico needs to take a significant step forward, especially as they will co-host the 2026 World Cup. Current coach Javier Aguirre has started well, winning the Concacaf Nations League, and seems capable. However, if we consider European coaches, someone like Arsenal`s Mikel Arteta would be a perfect fit. Arteta is a young coach with strong football ideas who focuses on developing younger players, which is important for Mexico`s future.
Brazil: Jurgen Klopp
Carlo Ancelotti is Brazil`s top choice, but who else from Europe could coach them? Brazil needs an experienced manager who can handle both established stars and young talents. Jurgen Klopp would be ideal. After leaving Liverpool, Klopp became the head of global soccer for Red Bull Group, which owns the Brazilian club Red Bull Bragantino. Klopp was considered for the Germany national team job, and some reports suggested his Red Bull contract had a clause allowing him to leave for the German job, but Red Bull denied this. Currently, if Klopp returns to coaching, it is more likely to be with a national team rather than a club.
Benedict Kingsley 
Adrian Whitmore