Brazil have appointed Sao Paulo manager Dorival Junior as their new national team manager days after the sack of Fernando Diniz, MySportDab reports.
The Selecao parted ways with Fernando Diniz as he was contracted on interim basis with the hope Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti will be available to take over from him when his Real Madrid contract expires.
Carlo Ancelotti decided to snub the Brazil job and opted to renew his Real Madrid contract in a blow to Brazil football chiefs, who decided to look inwards for a replacement for Fernando Diniz.
MySportDab reported earlier Dorival Junior, a local football veteran and Sao Paulo manager, was a favorite to replace Fernando Diniz.
Now, according to Fabrizio Romano, Brazil have confirmed Dorival Junior as their new national team coach with contract until 2026 World Cup.
🚨🇧🇷 Dorival Júnior signs in as new Brazil head coach on contract valid until 2026 World Cup.
Despite São Paulo proposal to sign new deal, he decided to accept the Seleçao job. pic.twitter.com/CCWat6Q6Fo
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 8, 2024
Dorival Junior will take Brazil through the remaining World Cup qualifiers, lead the team to 2024 Copa America, and also see them through at 2026 World Cup.
Dorival, 61, has a great career profile as a manager in Brazilian football. He has taken charge of over 20 clubs throughout his managerial career.
He has won Copa do Brasil three times with Santos, Flamengo, and Sao Paulo. While at Flamengo, Dorival Junior led the club to Copa Libertadore trophy – a continent-wide club competition in South America.
He won Copa do Brasil back-to-back with Sao Paulo in 2022 and 2023. Sao Paulo wanted to renew his contract but he rejected the new proposal for Brazil’s offer.