Brazil sack manager Dorival Junior following heavy defeat to arch-rivals Argentina in World Cup qualifying
Updated 28/03/2025 at 22:16 GMT
Brazil have sacked manager Dorival Junior following a heavy defeat to arch-rivals Argentina. The Brazilian Football Confederation will now search for a replacement for Dorival, who won just 44% of his matches in charge of the national team. Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has been repeatedly linked with the Brazil job ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
'This might be my toughest moment' - Dorival Junior after Brazil loss to Argentina
Video credit: SNTV
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) have announced the sacking of Dorival Junior as manager.
A statement on Friday read: "The board wishes him success in his continued career. From now on, the CBF will work to find a replacement."
The decision comes after Brazil were thrashed 4-1 by bitter rivals Argentina in World Cup qualifying.
That humbling defeat spelt the end for Dorival, who was appointed in January 2024 amid widespread reports claiming that the CBF wanted to appoint Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti.
Dorival had enjoyed success with Flamengo prior to taking the Brazil job, winning the Copa Libertadores with the Rio de Janeiro club.
But he won just seven of his 16 matches in charge of the national team, leaving Brazil fourth in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying group with 21 points, 10 behind leaders Argentina.
The Selecao Canarinho were also knocked out of last year's Copa America by Uruguay in the quarter-finals, but Dorival was expected to be given until this summer to prove himself.
The manner of the defeat in Buenos Aires proved his undoing, though. Brazil had never previously conceded four goals in a World Cup qualifier, and are on course for a worst ever finish in qualifying.
According to The Athletic, Brazil remain interested in appointing Ancelotti for the 2026 World Cup and have "been in touch" with the Italian.
CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues is said to have approached Ancelotti twice before, in 2022 and 2023, before his contract was extended by Real Madrid.
Ancelotti has coached several Brazil internationals in recent years, including Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Eder Militao.
There has been speculation surrounding the 65-year-old's future with Los Blancos, who have been linked with Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso.
It remains to be seen who will take the now vacant Brazil job, with crucial World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay to come in June.
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