Is Brazil Set to Appoint a New Manager Soon?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- CBF aims to appoint a new manager by next week.
- Position vacant since March 28 after Dorival Junior's sacking.
- Carlo Ancelotti is the front-runner for the role.
- World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay are approaching.
- Brazil currently sits fourth in the South American qualifying group.
Rio de Janeiro, May 6 (NationPress) The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) is on track to appoint a new manager for the men's national football team by next week, according to sporting director Rodrigo Caetano. This role has been unfilled since March 28, when Dorival Junior was dismissed after a disheartening 4-1 loss to Argentina during World Cup qualifying in Buenos Aires.
Caetano mentioned that he is actively evaluating potential candidates alongside CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues and technical coordinator Juan Santos.
"We are consistently holding internal discussions... and are aiming to finalize this decision as swiftly as possible," Caetano stated in an interview with Sportv, as reported by Xinhua.
"Given the confidential nature of our discussions, it is nearly impossible to speak about specific possibilities. We recognize the national significance of this decision, and the selection of the head coach for the Brazilian national team carries immense weight. We anticipate confirming the new manager by next week at the latest."
Currently, Real Madrid's Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly the favored candidate by the CBF, with Jorge Jesus and Abel Ferreira also in consideration.
The CBF had previously expressed intentions to appoint a new manager in time for Brazil's World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay in June.
"We are working with a limited pool of candidates... and we have our targets," Caetano explained. "However, it's challenging to discuss any specific name right now as it could be counterproductive."
Nevertheless, according to the Spanish daily Marca, during a meeting between Brazilian officials and Ancelotti, the Italian coach reportedly accepted the offer and is set to join Brazil’s national team in June with hopes of clinching their sixth World Cup title in North America in 2026.
The report added that Ancelotti will leave Real Madrid following the final league match and will travel to Brazil for the friendly games against Ecuador and Paraguay in June.
Currently, Brazil is positioned fourth in the 10-team South American qualifying group, trailing Argentina by 10 points with four matchdays remaining.
The top six teams will secure automatic spots in the prestigious tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada next year. The seventh-placed team will qualify for an intercontinental playoff.