Following the dismissal of Dorival Junior, Brazil has turned its attention to the Premier League in search of his successor.
After parting ways with Dorival Junior, Brazil is on the lookout for a new head coach, and reports suggest they are targeting one of the biggest names in football. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is reportedly one of the top candidates to take charge of the five-time World Cup champions ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Guardiola on Brazil’s shortlist of three Dorival Junior’s tenure as Brazil’s head coach ended abruptly after a crushing 4-1 defeat to Argentina, which sealed his fate. His position had already come under scrutiny after Brazil’s quarter-final exit to Uruguay in the 2024 Copa America, and the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) officially confirmed his departure on Friday.
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With Brazil now without a manager, speculation about who will take the role has been rife. According to Marca, Brazil has drawn up a three-man shortlist that includes Pep Guardiola, Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti, and Al-Hilal’s Jorge Jesus.
This isn’t the first time Brazil has tried to bring in a foreign coach. Ancelotti had been previously approached before CBF settled on Dorival, and now with Ednaldo Rodrigues re-elected as president, there are reports that he is considering another move for the Italian manager.
However, Guardiola has reportedly become the priority, with Brazil eager to convince him to take the helm.
How likely is Guardiola to leave Manchester City? Guardiola has expressed a desire to coach a national team, citing his ambition to experience the excitement of an international tournament. However, his commitment to Manchester City complicates matters. The Spaniard recently signed a two-year contract extension with City, meaning Brazil would face a significant challenge in luring him away from his long-term project in England.
Despite dominating English football, City faces an uncertain period ahead, with a potential squad rebuild on the horizon and the possibility of missing out on Champions League qualification, which could affect Guardiola’s long-term plans.
While Brazil’s football history and talent pool are undoubtedly appealing, convincing Guardiola to leave one of Europe’s top clubs and take charge of the Selecao will be no easy task.
