Brazil Sack Dorival Junior After Poor Display of Performance Against Argentina
Brazil have sacked Dorival Junior after a poor run of performances, and especially the 4-1 loss against Argentina, which led to this. Dorival Junior took over as Brazil’s manager last year in January 2024 and has failed to show any impressive impact till now. Dorival was well established in Brazilian football’s club football, having won the Copa Libertadores with Flamengo in 2022 and then the Brazilian Cup with Santos.
This led the CBF to appoint him, and Dorival Junior failed to provide results since under him Brazil have only won seven out of their sixteen games. This includes a disappointing Copa America campaign in 2024 when Brazil were knocked out by Uruguay in the quarter-final. After this, the nail in the head was their poor World Cup Qualifying campaign in which they are in fourth place with 21 points in 14 games, currently with six wins, three draws, and five losses.
How did Brazil vs Argentina change everything?
The rivalry between Brazil and Argentina is very intense and both teams not only play to win but also to keep their pride. Although Brazil are in a poor run of form, the expectations were decent, implying that they would give a tough fight and had a minute chance to win.
However, on the matchday, the situation spiralled out of control and that was the final nail in the coffin for Dorival Junior. Brazil lost 4-1 to Argentina, which is one of their biggest defeats in their head-to-head history with Argentina, and the CBF did not take much time to assess the situation, leading to Dorival Junior’s sacking.
CBF Official Statement On Sacking Dorival Junior
“The Brazilian Football Confederation informs that coach Dorival Jr is no longer in charge of the Brazilian national team. The management thanks Dorival and wishes him success in continuing his career. The CBF will work to find his replacement.”
Potential New Managers Of the Brazilian National Team
The two most trending speculations to become manager of Brazil’s national team are Al-Hilal manager Jorge Jesus and Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti. Jorge Jesus has been one of the best managers in the Saudi Premier League, and his impact was evident throughout world football last season. Although SPL is not in the world’s top five leagues, it is still quite competitive, and Jorge Jesus led Al Hilal to the title on an unbeaten run.
As for Carlo Ancelotti, the CBF have been trying to get him as manager for quite some time now since they want him to lead them to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, they were unsuccessful and recently Carlo Ancelotti even spoke out about the speculations on becoming Brazil’s next manager.
Carlo Ancelotti said: “Brazil job? I appreciate them, but there’s been NO contact between me and the Federation recently.”
“My full focus is here on Madrid right now. I’m under contract here and I’m only thinking about winning titles.”
Carlo Ancelotti spoke about this just a few hours before Dorival Junior was sacked implying that the CBF can finally reach out to him. Further, Carlo’s contract is set to expire in June 2026 with Real Madrid.
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