The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has made a significant change in its coaching staff, announcing on March 28, 2025, that Dorival Júnior is no longer the head coach of the national team. This decision follows a disappointing performance that culminated in a humiliating 4-1 defeat to Argentina in the World Cup 2026 qualifiers, marking one of the worst results in Brazil's recent football history.
President of the CBF, Ednaldo Rodrigues, confirmed the dismissal during a press conference held at the CBF headquarters in Rio de Janeiro. "We met with Dorival Júnior and Rodrigo Caetano, and the CBF announces that Dorival's cycle has ended. We thank him for the work he has done and wish him success in his future endeavors," Rodrigues stated. He emphasized that the decision was made after careful consideration, particularly in light of the team's performance in recent matches.
Dorival Júnior's tenure lasted 14 months, during which he oversaw 16 games. His record includes seven victories, seven draws, and two losses, yielding a success rate of 58.3%. Under his leadership, Brazil scored 25 goals while conceding 17. Despite a solid start with wins against teams like England and Spain, the team struggled to maintain consistency, ultimately finishing fourth in the qualifiers.
During the recent Copa América, Brazil's performance was underwhelming, as they barely advanced from the group stage with just five points. The team was eliminated in the quarter-finals by Uruguay after a penalty shootout, despite having a one-man advantage for the final 20 minutes of the match. This failure to capitalize on opportunities further fueled criticism of Dorival's coaching style.
As the CBF looks for a new coach, two names have emerged as frontrunners: Carlo Ancelotti and Jorge Jesus. Initially, Ancelotti was the preferred candidate, but he has stated that he is committed to Real Madrid and has had no recent contact with the CBF. On the other hand, Jorge Jesus, the former Flamengo coach currently managing Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, has expressed a strong desire to take on the role of Brazil's head coach.
Jesus is particularly appealing to the CBF because of his previous success in Brazil, where he led Flamengo to win both the Campeonato Brasileiro and the Copa Libertadores in 2019. However, he has a commitment to Al Hilal that coincides with the upcoming Club World Cup, which would prevent him from coaching Brazil during crucial qualifying matches against Ecuador and Paraguay scheduled for June.
In addition to Jesus, other potential candidates being considered include Pep Guardiola, Filipe Luís, and Abel Ferreira. Filipe Luís, currently the coach of Flamengo, has also been mentioned, but he has indicated that he prefers to remain focused on his current project with the club.
The CBF is in a challenging position as it seeks to find a coach who can restore Brazil's footballing glory. The national team has gone through a tumultuous period since Tite's departure after the 2022 World Cup, with three different coaches in just over two years. The pressure is mounting as Brazil looks to secure its place in the upcoming World Cup and regain its status as a football powerhouse.
With four more qualifying matches scheduled for 2025, including two FIFA dates in June, the urgency to appoint a new coach is palpable. Brazil's upcoming games will be crucial in determining their fate in the qualifiers, and the CBF is keen to ensure that the new coach can hit the ground running.
As the dust settles on Dorival Júnior's departure, the focus now shifts to who will take the reins of the Seleção. The CBF's decision will not only impact the immediate future of the national team but also shape the trajectory of Brazilian football in the coming years. With high hopes for the 2026 World Cup, the search for a new leader has never been more critical.
