Pep Guardiola has emerged as a leading candidate on a three-man shortlist to take over as Brazil’s head coach following the dismissal of Dorival Junior. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) made the decision to part ways with Dorival after a humiliating 4-1 defeat at the hands of Argentina during the recent international break.
The crushing loss to their arch-rivals in World Cup qualifying sent shockwaves through Brazilian football. Argentina ran riot with goals from Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, and Giuliano Simeone, leaving Matheus Cunha’s solitary strike as little more than a consolation. The heavy defeat left the five-time world champions struggling in fourth place in the CONMEBOL standings, trailing Argentina by a staggering ten points. With only the top six teams securing automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the pressure is mounting on the Selecao to find a capable leader to steady the ship.
The Brazilian FA has long admired foreign managerial talent, and reports indicate that CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues is once again looking beyond domestic options. This isn’t the first time the federation has sought high-profile international expertise—Carlo Ancelotti was approached in both 2022 and 2023 as part of an ambitious recruitment effort. However, the Real Madrid manager has remained steadfast in his commitment to Los Blancos, with his contract set to run until 2026. Now, the CBF is considering another push to lure the Italian away from Spain, though Ancelotti has given little indication that he would be willing to leave his current post.
Guardiola, on the other hand, has long expressed a keen interest in coaching at the international level. The Manchester City boss has openly stated his desire to manage a national team at a major tournament, such as the World Cup or the European Championship. “A national team,” Guardiola said last year. “I would like to train a national team for a World Cup or a European Championship. I would like that. When I started in this, I never thought about winning a league title or winning the Champions League. No. I thought, I have a job? OK. I would like to have the experience of living through a World Cup, or a Euro, or a Copa America, or whatever it is. I would like that.”
Despite his clear interest in international football, Guardiola remains under contract with Manchester City, having signed an extension earlier this season. However, the Spaniard is currently enduring what has been one of his most challenging campaigns at the club. The reigning Premier League champions find themselves in an unexpected battle just to secure a Champions League spot, sitting fifth in the table. Despite this, City remain in contention for silverware in the FA Cup and the Club World Cup, providing some hope of salvaging a difficult season.
Another name on Brazil’s shortlist is Jorge Jesus, a coach with a wealth of experience in South American and European football. The Portuguese manager, who currently leads Saudi Pro League giants Al Hilal, is no stranger to Brazilian football, having previously enjoyed a successful spell with Flamengo. However, his relationship with Brazilian star Neymar has been a topic of contention in recent times, though reports suggest he has recently softened his stance on the player. Jesus is seen as a strong candidate given his knowledge of Brazilian football culture and tactical acumen.
In November, CBF president Rodrigues was forced to address speculation linking Guardiola to the Brazil job. At the time, he categorically denied any approach had been made. “Although he is one of the greatest coaches in the world, there was no involvement from the CBF to make any contact,” Rodrigues told ESPN Brasil. “We’ve been working with the coaching staff led by Dorival Júnior and we’re satisfied. Yes, Dorival continues. The point is that he has a contract, the CBF has until 2026, he goes until the World Cup … It’s up to him.”
However, circumstances have drastically changed since then, with Dorival’s dismissal opening the door for fresh discussions. Guardiola’s potential appointment would mark a seismic shift for Brazilian football, as he would be the first foreign manager to take charge of the national team in modern history. The tactical revolution he introduced at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City could provide Brazil with a new identity as they aim to reclaim their status as the dominant force in world football.
With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, the Brazilian FA must move swiftly to secure a manager capable of turning their fortunes around. Whether Guardiola is willing to leave the club football scene just yet remains to be seen, but his place on the shortlist suggests Brazil is willing to go all out in their pursuit of one of the game’s greatest tactical minds. The coming weeks could prove crucial in determining whether the Catalan coach will finally take the plunge into international management.
