Carletto reveals that ex-Man Utd boss is the only person whose advice he'd listen to
Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 05.07.26. | 15:00
You can't say Carlo Ancelotti is arrogant, on the contrary... His results and experience speak for themselves. And that could be crucial against Norway (11 pm)
Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that there is only one man in football whose advice he believes carries unquestionable authority - Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Brazil head coach made that remark ahead of today's World Cup Round of 16 clash against Norway, after facing criticism over his team's pragmatic style of play, despite guiding the five-time world champions into the last 16.
The Italian, one of the most decorated managers in football history, pointed to Ferguson's unparalleled longevity as the only benchmark that exceeds his own.
"In Italy they say every man wants to be a football coach and every woman wants to be an architect," Ancelotti said.
"I don't know whether I understand football or not, but nobody can judge that. The only certainty is that I've prepared teams for around 1,400 matches. Maybe that's not enough to fully understand football, but it's certainly a lot of experience."
"Only one man has managed more matches than me - Alex Ferguson, who coached around 2,000 games. I receive advice from everyone, but the only person truly qualified to give me advice is Ferguson. I'm 100 per cent sure I'm not a genius, but I'm also 100 per cent sure I'm not a fool."
Brazil's next challenge is stopping Erling Haaland, who has scored in each of Norway's first four matches at the tournament and continues to underline his status as one of the world's most feared strikers.
Yet Ancelotti insists his side will not build its game plan around neutralising the Manchester City superstar.
"I don't believe there's such a thing as an 'anti-Haaland plan'. I don't need to explain to my players how to defend against him. Some of them have faced him several times already. Everyone knows the way he plays."
"We're focused on preparing for Norway as a team, understanding their strengths, and we know how dangerous they are going forward."
“Ancelotti, vamos atrás de você”: diz técnico da Noruega após vitóriahttps://t.co/e4wPvTPuce pic.twitter.com/82LRyONggN
— Daltro Emerenciano Instagram @blogdedaltroemerenci (@BlogdeDaltro) July 1, 2026
On the opposite bench, Norway manager Stale Solbakken clarified that the celebratory video recorded after Norway secured qualification - in which he joked, "Ancelotti, we're coming for you" - was intended as a compliment rather than disrespect.
"I said it because he's one of the greatest coaches European football has ever seen, perhaps the greatest. Five Champions League titles and league championships in different countries speak for themselves. The way he treats opponents and the game is something we should all admire."
WORLD CUP - KNOCKOUT STAGE
Round of 16
Saturday
Canada - Morocco 0-3 (0-0)
/Ounahi 50, 82, Rahimi 90+8/
Sunday
France - Paraguay 1-0 (0-0)
/Mbappe 70 pen/
23.00: (1.90) Brazil (3.90) Norway (4.15)
Monday
03.00: (3.25) Mexico (3.15) England (2.45)
22.00: (3.80) Portugal (3.45) Spain (2.00)
Tuesday
03.00: (2.70) USA (3.40) Belgium (2.65)
19.00: (1.37) Argentina (4.70) Egypt (9.00)
23.00: (3.40) Switzerland (3.25) Colombia (2.30)
***odds are subject to change***