Brazil Sack Manager Dorival Jr After Humiliating Loss to Argentina

The Brazilian Football Confederation has terminated the contract of manager Dorival Jr after a record-breaking defeat to Argentina, with the team struggling in their worst-ever World Cup qualifying campaign.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has announced the dismissal of head coach Dorival Jr, following the team's humiliating 4-1 loss to Argentina in a World Cup qualifier in Buenos Aires. This defeat marked a low point for the five-time World Cup winners.

NOTA OFICIAL 🇧🇷

A Confederação Brasileira de Futebol informa que o técnico Dorival Júnior não comanda mais a Seleção Brasileira. A direção agradece ao profissional e deseja sucesso na continuidade de sua carreira. A partir de agora, a CBF vai trabalhar em busca do substituto.… pic.twitter.com/CVbTAOaYPQ

— CBF Futebol (@CBF_Futebol) March 28, 2025

Dorival Jr, 62, was appointed as the Brazil manager in January 2024, after the team had been under the guidance of two interim coaches for a year. The Brazilian Football Association had initially attempted to recruit Carlo Ancelotti from Real Madrid but was unsuccessful.

The CBF released a statement confirming Dorival Jr's departure, stating, “The Brazilian Football Confederation informs that coach Dorival Jr is no longer in charge of the Brazilian national team.” The statement also expressed gratitude towards Dorival Jr and wished him success in his future endeavors, adding, “The management thanks (Dorival) and wishes him success in continuing his career... the CBF will work to find his replacement.”

Dorival Jr's Tenure Cut Short

Dorival Jr was appointed as Brazil's manager following his successful stint with Flamengo in 2022, where he won the Copa Libertadores and Brazilian Cup. He repeated this feat with Sao Paulo the next year, lifting the Brazilian Cup once again. However, his success at the club level did not translate to the national team, as he struggled to make an impact.

Dorival Jr's tenure was marked by a lack of progress, with the team winning only seven of his 16 games in charge. Brazil's fans, known for their high expectations, never fully trusted him. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) also had its doubts, particularly after a disappointing Copa America campaign last year, where Brazil was eliminated in the quarter-finals by Uruguay.

Initially, the CBF was willing to give Dorival Jr more time, planning to reassess the situation after the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay in June. However, Brazil's humiliating 4-1 loss to Argentina in a qualifier this week prompted CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues to reconsider, ultimately deciding to terminate Dorival Jr's contract.

Search for a New Manager

Sources close to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) have revealed that Carlo Ancelotti remains the ideal candidate to take over as Brazil's manager. However, Ancelotti is currently under contract with Real Madrid until July 2026, and there is no indication that he would leave the European and Spanish champions. Meanwhile, Brazilian media have reported that Jorge Jesus, the Portuguese coach of Al Hilal, is the favorite to replace Dorival Jr.

🚨 OFFICIAL: Brazil have sacked Dorival Júnior ❌🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/t9scX7U8fj

— 433 (@433) March 28, 2025

Brazil has been navigating uncharted territory for over two years, since their heartbreaking elimination from the 2022 World Cup against Croatia on penalties in the quarter-finals. This defeat led to the departure of long-time manager Tite. The recent humbling defeat in Buenos Aires is the latest in a series of negative records set by Brazil under caretakers Ramon Menezes and Fernando Diniz, as well as Dorival Jr.

Brazil's current World Cup qualifying campaign is their worst-ever. They are fourth in the South American standings with 21 points, just a point above sixth-placed Colombia, who currently occupy the final direct qualifying berth. Brazil has never lost so many games, conceded so many goals, or set so many negative records in the qualifying competition. They have lost five of their 14 games and conceded 16 goals, including a 1-0 defeat to Argentina in the Maracana late in 2023, which was their first-ever qualifying loss on home soil.