Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly set to include Liverpool’s goalkeeping coach Claudio Taffarel in his new-look coaching lineup at Brazil.
It was confirmed earlier this week that the Real Madrid manager will take charge of the five-time world champions later this month, after his successful stint in the Spanish capital concludes. Ancelotti has managed some of the globe’s greatest clubs but has never taken charge of an international side.
His move away from the club game has drawn great interest, and he will be in place for the World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay next month, before overseeing the World Cup campaign in the USA next summer.
Ahead of his start date, Ancelotti has already begun drawing up his coaching staff, which includes four current members of his team at Real: Francesco Mauri, Mino Fulco, and Simone Montanaro.
According to Brazilian outlet Globo, Ancelotti is also set to appoint his son, Davide, as assistant for the matches against Ecuador and Paraguay.
But the 35-year-old’s personal coaching ambitions could see him leave to pursue a top job elsewhere. He has been linked with the vacancy at Rangers.
Globo adds, if Ancelotti needs to find a new assistant, he may offer the role to Paul Clement, who previously worked under the Italian at Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Real and Bayern Munich.
The report continues, claiming Real coaches Antonio Pintus and Luis Llopis won’t join Ancelotti at Brazil.
“Willing to have Brazilian professionals to help him on a day-to-day basis and in his knowledge of the national team, Ancelotti decided to keep Taffarel as goalkeeper coach,” Globo states.
Taffarel has worked as Liverpool’s goalkeeping coach since 2021 and has struck a close bond with Alisson.
The 59-year-old remained part of Arne Slot’s coaching staff when he replaced Jurgen Klopp last year, although John Achterberg and Jack Robinson departed in place of Fabian Otte.
“We are doing well so far and I hope we keep working well to reach the targets we have,” Alisson said in December, when discussing the new Liverpool coaching group.
“They are big targets, we set those targets at the beginning of the season when we talked – me, Fabian and Taffa together – so it’s important for us to keep a good level of work so we are prepared for all situations for games, for the whole season.”
Taffarel, who earned over 100 Brazil caps in his playing days, has balanced his club and international commitments alongside each other for several years. He joined Brazil as a coach in 2014, but took a short break between 2022 and 2024.
A legendary former goalkeeper, Taffarel was part of the Brazil side that won the 1994 World Cup, and represented Parma and Galatasaray during his playing days.
