The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has officially sacked Dorival Junior just three days after Brazil’s crushing 4-1 loss to arch-rivals Argentina in the World Cup qualifiers. The defeat sealed his fate, ending his brief tenure as head coach.
“Dorival Junior is no longer in charge of the Brazilian national team. The management thanks him and wishes him success in his career,” the CBF announced in a statement on Friday.
A Short and Struggling Tenure
Dorival, who took over in January 2024, struggled to revitalize the Selecão. Under his watch, Brazil’s World Cup qualifying campaign faltered, leaving them fourth in the South American standings—trailing Argentina, Ecuador, and Uruguay.
Despite an initial victory against England at Wembley, his tenure was marred by disappointing performances, including a lackluster Copa America run, a shocking 1-0 defeat to Paraguay, and an uninspiring draw with Venezuela. Fans grew frustrated as Brazil failed to showcase the flair and dominance they were known for, even with stars like Vinícius Junior and Rodrygo in the squad.
Who Will Take Over?
Speculation is already swirling around possible successors. Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti was heavily linked to the role before Dorival’s appointment, but the Italian has reaffirmed his commitment to Madrid until 2026. Other names in contention include Portuguese managers Jorge Jesus (currently at Al Hilal) and Abel Ferreira, who has won multiple titles with Palmeiras.
Whoever takes charge will face an uphill battle—not only to secure World Cup qualification but also to restore Brazil’s attacking identity and reclaim their dominance in world football.
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