MANCHESTER UNITED star Casemiro revealed a funny incident with Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti that led to a triumphant World Cup qualification.
The midfielder knows Ancelotti, 66, very well following three years together across the Italian tactician’s two stints at where they formed a very strong bond.
Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti interrupted his half-time team talk to have a smoke Credit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
Casemiro revealed Ancelotti’s tactic helped Brazil qualify for the 2026 World Cup Credit: Getty Images – Getty
The football stars are now working together in the Brazilian national team, which the ex- boss joined last year.
And Ancelotti’s stint kicked off on the right foot as he led the Selecao to the .
sealed their place in this summer’s competition last year after crucial 1-0 victory over Paraguay during the qualifying stages in Sao Paulo.
The players got very anxious in the dressing room at half-time despite leading thanks to ‘s ex-Real team-mate Vinicius Jr’s late opener.
The Brazil stars found themselves having such an intense discussion that they forced to adopt a very unique way to calm everyone’s nerves.
The ex- boss told them he would let them work things out by themselves while having a cigarette break on his own before returning to deliver his half-time speech.
And it worked like a charm as the players got their frustrations out and managed to heed the former AC Milan manager’s advice that helped them qualify for the World Cup.
Casemiro told legend Rio Ferdinand on his Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast : “I have a very good relationship with Ancelotti.
“Ancelotti is not just my manager, he’s is my friend. I know what he likes and what he doesn’t like.
“[What makes Ancelotti special is] The same [philosophy of] take it easy, slow, calm, relax. He is a calm person.
‘I remember that in a qualifying match against Paraguay that if we won we’d go to the World Cup.
“At half-time, everyone was speaking and he said to us: ‘Guys, wait. I’m going to smoke and I’ll be back in five minutes and then we’ll speak’.
“After that he comes and speaks, and everyone was like, ‘Okay’. This guy is amazing. He knows everything about football.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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