Julius OkorieFive-time World Cup champions, Brazil, are raising the tempo in search of a new coach to continue the World Cup qualifiers after sacking Dorival Junior, three days after a humiliating 4-1 loss to Argentina.
Confederation of Brazilian Football announced late Friday it has parted ways with Dorival Junior.
Join our WhatsApp Channel“Dorival Junior is no longer in charge of the Brazilian national team. The management thanks him and wishes him success for the rest of his career,” the CBF said in a statement.
Dorival, 62, had only been in charge since January 2024, succeeding interim coach, Fernando Diniz, but has overseen a lacklustre qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Brazil are fourth in the South American qualifying table, 10 points behind defending world champions Argentina, who have already sealed their place in the finals.
Brazil will visit Ecuador and host Paraguay on June 4 and 9, respectively, in the round of qualifiers.
“Nobody expected what we saw today, and the responsibility is entirely mine,” the coach acknowledged after the game.
READ ALSO:Aftermath Of Defeat, Brazil Re-Opens Interest In Carlo Ancelotti
Dorival took over the Selecao after winning domestic titles with Flamengo and Sao Paulo.
His appointment was announced only after months of speculation about the possible arrival of Real Madrid’s Italian coach, Carlo Ancelotti.
Brazilian media claim that Ancelotti is again among the targets to succeed Dorival as is Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, currently in charge of Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia.
Also mentioned in the quest for a new hand is former Chelsea defender, Filipe Luis. Luis retired from professional football in 2023.
The 39-year-old has already won three trophies since being appointed as Flamengo’s head coach last year.
Brazil who crashed out in the quarterfinals of the last World Cup in Qatar after losing 4-2 on penalties to Croatia, have never had a foreign manager in charge of their national team and the desire to have Ancelotti if it works out will be the first time they will be doing so.
Brazil always tipped as top contenders to the World Cup, last won the Mundial in 2002.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
