Brazilian Football Confederation has sacked Dorival Jr. after a 4-1 loss to Argentina. Dorival’s tenure was marred by poor performance, winning only seven of 16 games. The CBF is seeking a replacement as Brazil experiences its worst World Cup qualifying campaign in history, currently fourth in the standings with mounting losses and goals conceded.
On Friday, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced the dismissal of head coach Dorival Jr. following a disheartening 4-1 qualifying defeat to Argentina. Dorival had been leading the national team since January 2024, after a year filled with interim coaches during the CBF’s unsuccessful attempts to recruit Carlo Ancelotti from Real Madrid.
In a statement, the CBF expressed gratitude to Dorival, wishing him success in his future endeavors, while confirming plans to search for a suitable replacement. Dorival earned the position after triumphing with Flamengo in 2022, winning the Copa Libertadores and the Brazilian Cup, but he struggled to replicate that success at the national level, winning only seven out of 16 games.
Reports indicate that the CBF lacked confidence in Dorival’s management, especially after a disappointing Copa America campaign where Brazil was eliminated in the quarter-finals by Uruguay. Although they initially intended to wait until June to reassess the situation before World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay, the recent heavy defeat to Argentina prompted a swift decision from CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues to terminate Dorival’s contract.
Carlo Ancelotti remains the favored choice for the role; however, he is bound by a contract with Real Madrid until July 2026, and there is no indication he would leave. Media speculations suggest that Jorge Jesus, the Portuguese coach of Al Hilal, might be a leading candidate to succeed Dorival.
Brazil’s current qualifying campaign has been marked by unprecedented challenges. The team, in fourth place with 21 points, is only a point ahead of Colombia, who are sixth. Under Dorival and previous caretaker coaches, Brazil has experienced their worst qualifying performance, with five losses and 16 goals conceded across 14 matches. Notably, their defeat to Argentina marked their heaviest loss in World Cup qualifying history, and they have faced various setbacks during this campaign, including losses to Colombia and the end of a long unbeaten streak against Uruguay.
In conclusion, Brazil’s dismissal of head coach Dorival Jr. follows a humiliating 4-1 loss to Argentina in World Cup qualifying. The CBF aims to find a replacement to revitalize the national team amidst a historically poor qualifying campaign. Potential candidates include the prominent coach Carlo Ancelotti and Jorge Jesus. The footballing nation faces a critical juncture as they prepare for upcoming matches that are pivotal for their qualification prospects.
Original Source: www.channelnewsasia.com
