Dorival Junior on the brink of dismissal as Brazil head coach following disappointing defeat to Argentina.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has made the decision to terminate Dorival Júnior’s role as head coach of the national team, effective immediately, as reported by UOL Esporte.

According to the same source, a meeting scheduled for Friday between Ednaldo Rodrigues, the CBF president, and Dorival Júnior aims to officially confirm the coach’s departure, with no current indication that he will continue in the position.

The turning point leading to Dorival Júnior’s dismissal was the loss to Argentina in Buenos Aires. However, this defeat marked the peak of ongoing challenges faced by the Brazilian coach, stemming back to the Copa America nearly a year ago.

UOL Esporte indicates that Dorival Júnior altered the composition of Brazil’s squad, resulting in a perception that there was no stable team foundation to rely on, compounded by poor results.

Additionally, the CBF expressed unease over the fact that Dorival Júnior’s primary assistant was his son, Lucas Silvestre. Although the CBF had appointed former centre-back Juan—who possesses valuable experience with the Brazilian national team—to provide a different perspective alongside the coach, it became evident to the organisation’s leaders that this objective had not been achieved with his son in such close proximity.

Succession

Regarding the search for Dorival Júnior’s successor, the CBF has yet to reach out to any potential candidates. There is a preference for appointing an international figure, with names like Carlo Ancelotti, Jorge Jesus, and Abel Ferreira being considered. However, the organisation will focus on selecting a new coach only after formalising Júnior’s departure.