Pep Guardiola (foto: Getty Images)
The Brazilian Football Confederation denies rumors of discussions with Pep Guardiola and reaffirms Dorival Júnior as national team coach amid World Cup qualifying.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) firmly denied speculation this Friday about contacting Pep Guardiola for the head coach position, reaffirming their commitment to Dorival Júnior as Brazil’s national team manager. CBF President Ednaldo Rodrigues addressed the rumors during the organization’s extraordinary general assembly, making it clear that no approaches had been made.
“Guardiola is one of the world’s best coaches, but we haven’t conducted any kind of search. The coach of the national team is Dorival Júnior,” Rodrigues stated, putting an end to the speculation.
The denial came after The Athletic, an outlet affiliated with The New York Times, reported that the CBF had engaged in “several contacts” with Guardiola this year, allegedly preparing a major move to bring him in by 2025. Guardiola’s name had indeed circulated in Brazil as a potential candidate after the 2022 World Cup, and he has spoken warmly about the Seleção whenever asked by the media.
Meanwhile, Dorival Júnior, the current manager, has gained some breathing room after two recent World Cup qualifying victories over Chile and Peru, lifting Brazil to fourth place in the standings following a rocky start in the qualifiers.
Brazil’s next matches are scheduled for November 14 against Venezuela, followed by a home game against Uruguay in Salvador five days later.