Foreigners in the Brazilian National Team: remember the foreign coaches before the Carlo Ancelotti era

An unprecedented chapter is about to be written in the most successful trajectory of world football, as Brazil will compete in FIFA’s main tournament under the guidance of a professional born abroad for the first time in its centuries-old history.

Completing his first year of work at the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), multi-time European champion Carlo Ancelotti brings with him the weight of four Champions League titles as a coach and represents a paradigm shift in the culture of the five-time champion.

However, the popular belief that the former Real Madrid commander inaugurates this list of foreigners does not match official records. Over the past decades, three other professionals from outside the country have donned the Canarian jersey, even though they had never set foot on a World Cup pitch.

Below, we retrieve the details of these historic passages and how each of these precursors left their mark on the national squad’s bench.

Uruguayan pioneering under the command of Ramón Platero in the 1920s

The breaking of the national barrier initially happened thanks to a citizen of Uruguay, who took over the reins of the green and yellow squad in a time of amateurism, only eleven years having passed since the team’s inaugural match.

Before receiving this honor, the South American built a solid reputation in Rio de Janeiro by coaching giants such as Vasco da Gama, Fluminense and Flamengo. This resume qualified him to guide the squad in the 1925 South American Championship, a tournament that would give rise to the current Copa América.

The original planning for the old CBD envisaged Joaquim Guimarães at the edge of the pitch, but an administrative change elevated him to the position of sporting director. This behind-the-scenes maneuver handed tactical control and daily training into the hands of the foreigner.

The balance of that continental competition ended with two significant victories over Paraguay, in addition to a draw and a defeat against arch-rival Argentina, guaranteeing the group the runner-up position in the event.

The division of powers with the Portuguese Joreca in the 1940s

Born in Portugal and living in Brazilian lands since a young age, Jorge Gomes de Lima has built a multifaceted career. Nicknamed Joreca, the European worked as a sports columnist, graduated in physical education and even worked as an official referee before moving to the technical field.

The peak of his tactical competence shone in charge of São Paulo, the institution for which he won state trophies in 1943, 1945 and 1946. His overwhelming performance caught the attention of national leaders, who proposed a model of co-management alongside the legendary Flávio Costa.

The experience of having two simultaneous bosses lasted a very short time, being limited to two friendly matches. Even though they overcame the strong Uruguay team on both occasions, the federation decided to abort the double project, dismissing the Portuguese player and centralizing power in Costa, who would end up suffering the tragic “Maracanazo” in the 1950 final.

The day Argentine Filpo Núñez played hopscotch with Palmeiras

Before the famous hiring of the current Italian coach, the last international name to manage Brazil came precisely from Argentina, a nation that has the greatest sporting rivalry with the five-time champions.

Nelson Ernesto Filpo Núñez built a true dynasty in the country of football, playing for countless clubs in different states between the 1950s and 1990s, always with an offensive and striking style of play.

At that time, the Buenos Aires player was the brain behind Palmeiras’ magical “Primeira Academia”, the only squad capable of going head to head with Pelé’s Santos. As recognition, CBD invited the entire Alviverde squad to represent the nation at the opening party of the Mineirão stadium, in 1965, and the position of commander was naturally passed on to him.

Núñez’s statistics in the role recorded just ninety minutes of ball rolling, resulting in a resounding 3-0 victory over Uruguay. On that historic afternoon, the athletes from Palmeiras exchanged green for yellow, but maintained their club spirit.

The path and opponents projected for the search for the sixth championship

Returning to today, the European strategist works daily in the offices of the highest national football entity, designing the logistics and tactics for the upcoming decisive clashes.

The group led by striker Vinicius Jr. has its first international match scheduled against the Moroccan team, shortly after the end of the friendly period. Inserted in Group C of the competition, the Brazilians will still face Haiti, on the 19th, and close the initial phase against Scotland, on the 24th.

Advancing in first or second place in their group, the regulations foresee a direct crossing in the first elimination stage with those classified in Group F, which has the following teams:

• Netherlands
• Japan
• Sweden
• Tunisia

On the other hand, if the classification comes from the repechage of the best third-placed teams, the selection points to the leaders of groups A, E or I. This alternative route considerably increases the level of difficulty, potentially forcing an early encounter against global powers of the caliber of France or Germany.