Brazil add ‘Pep Guardiola to three-man shortlist of potential replacements for head coach Dorival Junior’ who is ‘set to be SACKED’ after humiliating 4-1 defeat by Argentina
- Pep Guardiola has previously spoken of his desire to manage an national team
- The Spaniard signed a new contract at Manchester City in November until 2027
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Following reports of the imminent sacking of Brazil head coach Dorival Junior, Pep Guardiola has emerged as a potential successor.
The five-time World Cup winners are reeling from their embarrassing 4-1 defeat by bitter rivals Argentina on Wednesday night. The loss left Brazil fourth in South American World Cup qualifying, 10 points adrift of the leaders Argentina.
On Friday, Brazilian outlet UOL Esporte claimed that Dorival Junior is set to pay a hefty price for the loss. The 62-year-old has won just five of his 15 games in charge since taking over in January 2024 including elimination by Uruguay from the quarter-finals of last summer’s Copa America.
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has been approached by the Brazilian FA in 2022 and 2023, while reports this week claimed recently re-elected CFA president Ednaldo Rodrigues is ready to try his luck again.
And according to Marca, Guardiola is also part of a three-man shortlist that includes former Benfica and Sporting Lisbon head coach Jorge Jesus – who is currently managing Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia.
Furthermore, the outlet claims that it is the priority of the CFA to hire a foreign manager that would take them into the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Pep Guardiola is reportedly among a three-man shortlist of potential replacements for Brazil head coach Dorival Junior
Reports in Brazil claim that Dorival Junior is on the brink of the sack after Wednesday’s humiliating defeat by Argentina
Brazil’s 4-1 loss left them in fourth in World Cup qualifying, 10 points behind leaders Argentina
Guardiola has previously spoken of his desire to manage a national team and he has been linked with the Brazil job in the recent past. The Manchester City boss was linked with the England job before Thomas Tuchel was appointment and he had extended his contract at the Etihad.
‘A national team,’ said Guardiola last year. ‘I would like to train a national team for a World Cup or a European Championship. I would like that.
‘When I started in this I never thought about winning a league title or winning the Champions League. No. I thought, I have a job? OK. I would like to have the experience of living through a World Cup, or a Euro or a Copa America, or whatever it is. I would like that.’
In November, Rodrigues was forced to deny that he had contacted Guardiola, who would certainly be a popular choice among Brazilians if he appointed.
Although he is one of the greatest coaches in the world, there was no involvement from the CBF to make any contact,’ he told ESPN Brasil.
‘We’ve been working with the coaching staff led by Dorival Júnior and we’re satisfied. Yes [Dorival continues], the point is that he has a contract, the CBF has until 2026, he goes until the World Cup … It’s up to him.’
Now with Dorival Júnior set to depart, Rodrigues reportedly attempt to tempt the Spaniard into taking one of the most glamorous jobs in world football.
Despite an uncharacteristically poor campaign in Manchester, Guardiola seems unlikely to leave his post at the Etihad as he sets about constructing his next great team. Guardiola is expected to spearhead a summer of change and having penned a new three-year deal in November, his future appears to lie at the Etihad.
