Mar 28, 2025, 04:50 PM ET
Brazil has brushed aside head trainer Dorival Júnior following Tuesday’s deflating loss to competitors Argentina, Brazil’s soccer confederation (CBF) introduced Friday.
Argentina received 4-1 in Buenos Aires, regardless of the absence of its talismanic captain Lionel Messi, to inflict Brazil’s heaviest ever loss in Global Cup qualifying.
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“The Brazilian Soccer Confederation broadcasts that trainer Dorival Júnior will not be in command of the Brazilian Nationwide Workforce,” the CBF mentioned in a commentary. “The board thank you the pro and desires him luck in his persevered occupation. Any longer, the CBF will paintings to discover a alternative.”
Dorival, who took complete accountability for his crew’s deficient appearing, remained assured that he may flip issues round.
On the other hand, following Friday’s assembly between CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues and Dorival, a choice used to be taken to phase tactics.
Dorival, 62, leaves the nationwide crew with a document of seven wins, 7 attracts and a couple of defeats from his 16 video games in rate, with Brazil no longer but assured a spot in subsequent yr’s match in america, Canada and Mexico.
All the way through his spell, Dorival has no longer been in a position to depend at the products and services of Brazil’s all-time main scorer Neymar on account of the participant’s damage problems.
The previous São Paulo supervisor have been appointed to deliver balance after a turbulent duration since Brazil’s 2022 Global Cup quarterfinal go out because of a penalty shootout loss to Croatia, which ended in the sacking of former trainer Tite.
Dorival used to be passed the activity after his luck with Flamengo in 2022 the place he received the Copa Libertadores and Brazilian Cup, a trophy he lifted once more the following yr with São Paulo. On the other hand, he used to be no longer the CBF’s first selection, with Rodrigues having to start with set his attractions on Actual Madrid trainer Carlo Ancelotti.
Tuesday’s 4-1 defeat to rival Argentina spelled the top of Dorival Júnior’s Brazil reign. Roberto Tuero/SOPA Photographs/LightRocket by the use of Getty Photographs
Regardless of promising indicators with a 1-0 pleasant win over England and a 3-3 attract Spain in Dorival’s first video games in rate, Brazil by no means took off.
The trainer got here beneath hearth remaining July after Brazil’s Copa América quarterfinal go out by the hands of Uruguay, Brazil failed to provoke and received simply one in every of their workforce video games ahead of shedding 4-2 in a penalty shootout in opposition to 10-man Uruguay after a goalless draw.
That match used to be received by means of 2022 Global Cup winner Argentina.
But it surely used to be Tuesday’s embarrassing loss, Brazil’s 5th defeat in qualifying and its first since a 1-0 setback at Paraguay in September, that sealed Dorival’s destiny.
Regardless of boasting an assault that comes with Actual Madrid duo Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo, Barcelona’s Raphinha and Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matheus Cunha, Brazil had only one shot on track.
The CBF has no longer but named a alternative for Dorival.
Resources have informed ESPN Brasil that Al Hilal’s Portuguese trainer Jorge Jesus is the main candidate to interchange Dorival. Jesus in the past loved a a hit spell in command of Rio de Janeiro giants Flamengo, main the crew to the Copa Libertadores name in 2019.
Ancelotti, who has as soon as once more been related with the position following the defeat to Argentina, once more pledged his loyalty to Actual Madrid on Friday.
“My contract [until June 2026] speaks for itself,” Ancelotti mentioned at a information convention. “I would not have the rest so as to add. I’ve a large number of affection for the Brazil crew, its gamers and enthusiasts. However I’ve a freelance at Actual Madrid.”
Brazil is in the middle of its worst Global Cup qualifying marketing campaign. The crew is fourth within the South American standings with 21 issues, some extent above sixth-place Colombia, which these days occupies the overall direct qualifying berth.
By no means has Brazil misplaced such a lot of video games, conceded such a lot of targets or set such a lot of adverse data within the qualifying pageant. It has misplaced 5 of its 14 video games and conceded 16 targets.
Brazil is again in motion in June when it visits Ecuador and hosts Paraguay in its subsequent Global Cup qualifiers.
Data from Reuters used to be used on this record.
