It’s been a little less than a month since Dorival Junior was dismissed as head coach of Brazil. It was clear that the coach, with nearly 25 years of experience in Brazilian clubs, lacked the aura needed to lead the Selecao at the 2026 World Cup. Brazil has been eliminated four times in the quarterfinals and once in the semifinals (a match they probably wish they hadn’t played) in the last five World Cups, so they must carefully choose the person who will attempt to bring Brazil, if not the world title, then at least their first final since 2002.🚨CAFU:“I worked with Ancelotti for 5 years at Milan and they were 5 wonderful years. Ancelotti is not just a coach, he is a friend, a father, a companion, he understands football. If CBF chooses Ancelotti, the Seleção will be in good hands.” pic.twitter.com/2N3GoEpvzp— Brasil Football 🇧🇷 (@BrasilEdition) April 21, 2025 Two names have been the focus of the Brazilian Football Confederation for months now, and there’s a strong sense of which option is more desirable and which is more realistic. According to Brazilian ESPN, Neymar, Vinícius Junior, and Rodrygo are trying to persuade Ancelotti to take over the national team. Quietly and away from the spotlight, the Brazilian federation is in talks with people from Ancelotti’s inner circle. After unsuccessful negotiations in 2023, contact has resumed in recent weeks. On the other hand, time is working in favor of Jorge Jesus, as the Al Hilal coach will finish his commitments in Saudi Arabia by May 15 at the latest, and could potentially take over the role in the second half of the month. That is not the case with Ancelotti, who could be busy until mid-July with the Club World Cup.Carletto got competition: Four candidates for Brazil bench and one name will shock youThe Brazilians are willing to wait for Ancelotti a bit longer than they’d prefer, but there’s a sense that a head coach should be appointed as soon as possible, so they could debut during the June international window — which would not be possible with Ancelotti before September. Discreetly, those involved in trying to convince the Italian are moving around Madrid, adapting to Carlo’s expectations, and sending reports to Brazil almost daily. At least one Brazilian agent and two intermediaries are reportedly in negotiations with Ancelotti’s son, Davide.Pressure? What pressure?Officially, the CBF denies that it has any representatives in Europe for these negotiations, claiming that “only executive general coordinator of the men’s teams Rodrigo Caetano and president Ednaldo Rodrigues are handling the matter” and that “no other person is authorized to speak on behalf of the confederation.” However, Brazilian media have photographed federation employees in Madrid several times in the past two weeks, including at the Santiago Bernabeu itself. It is known that the Brazilian federation will have a representative at Saturday’s Copa del Rey final at La Cartuja stadium, and if Ancelotti loses to Barcelona for the third time this season, the chances of him leaving Real would certainly increase.Ancelotti is having second thoughts, and Brazil is waitingAs for Neymar, even without publicly stating it, it is known that he is not thrilled about the potential arrival of Jorge Jesus. Not even recent comments from the Portuguese coach, claiming he has no issues with the star player, have resolved the crisis that led Neymar to leave Al Hilal earlier this year. Neymar’s preference has added more weight to the top choice of federation president Ednaldo Rodrigues in the negotiations with Ancelotti, which have resumed in recent days. In any case, it’s clear that Brazil will get a proven expert — the only question is whether it will be a foreigner and the most decorated coach in Champions League history, or a domestic figure with high-level credentials but without the biggest European trophies, and who would likely face less pressure.LA LIGA – MATCHDAY 26Postponed matchSunday17:15: (1.48) Villareal (4.80) Espanyol (7.00)***odds are subject to change***
