Brazil confirm Dorival Junior as new head coach to lead the team to the 2026 World Cup after sacking interim boss Fernando Diniz following just two wins in first six qualifiers
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/08/19/79764083-0-image-a-5_1704740793346.jpg)
- Sao Paulo revealed Dorival Junior quit as manager to lead the Brazil national side
- Brazil have had a poor start to World Cup qualifying, winning two of their first six
- Luis Suarez is FOURTH in Ian Ladyman's top 5 Liverpool strikers... but who else makes the list? Listen to It's All Kicking Off
Dorival Junior has been officially appointed Brazil coach, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced on Wednesday.
The 61-year-old confirmed on Sunday his decision to leave Sao Paulo and take charge of Brazil after the CBF sacked interim coach Fernando Diniz on Friday.
'Dorival Junior is the new coach of the men's national team. He will be presented at a news conference this Thursday at the CBF headquarters in Rio de Janeiro,' the CBF said in a statement.
Dorival led Flamengo to the Copa Libertadores title and the Brazilian Cup in 2022 before joining Sao Paulo. He has also coached Atletico Mineiro, Athletico Paranaense, Internacional, Vasco da Gama, Fluminense and Palmeiras.
Brazil are sixth in the South American World Cup qualifying standings after winning only two of their six games and suffering three defeats.
Related Articles
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced on Friday that Fernando Diniz, appointed last year on an interim basis, had been sacked in order to hire a permanent coach to prepare the team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Dorival was Brazil's preferred choice for the job, sources told Reuters, after the CBF failed to recruit Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti, who chose to extend his contract with Real Madrid.
'Sao Paulo Football Club announces the departure of coach Dorival Junior, who has asked to leave to take charge of the Brazilian national team,' the team said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter.
Dorival led Flamengo to the Copa Libertadores title and the Brazilian Cup in 2022 before joining Sao Paulo. He has also coached Atletico Mineiro, Athletico Paranaense, Internacional, Vasco da Gama, Fluminense and Palmeiras.
He said in the statement that it was 'the realization of a personal dream, which was only possible because I received recognition for the work carried out in Sao Paulo.'
Sao Paulo President Julio Casares said it showed the club were in good shape.
'The invitation to Dorival is further proof that we are on the right track,' he said. 'All that remains is to wish him good luck in his new challenge.'
Related Articles
Brazil are sixth in the South American World Cup qualifying standings after winning only two of their six games and suffering three defeats.
The decision to sack Diniz came after Ednaldo Rodrigues was reinstated as head of the CBF, after a decision by minister Gilmar Mendes of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), following his dismissal in early December by the Rio de Janeiro Court of Justice.
Comments
Comments
{{formattedShortCount}}
comments