After the embarrassment against Argentina, Brazil contacted Carlo Ancelotti again.

The 4-1 defeat against the Argentine national team at the Estadio Monumental triggered a crisis within the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) and cast doubt on the continuity of coach Dorival Júnior. According to reports from Globo Esporte and UOL, the directors are considering his dismissal, and his departure could be made official in the coming weeks.

The management believes that Dorival's cycle is over. Although his continuity was already in question before the last FIFA date, the defeat against Argentina accelerated the wear and tear. "It's a matter of time," sources close to the decision-making process stated, adding that the president of the CBF, Ednaldo Rodrigues, will wait to secure a replacement before making his departure official.

The next challenge for the Brazilian national team will be in June, when they face Ecuador and Paraguay for matchdays 15 and 16 of the South American Qualifiers respectively. Although this time frame allows for postponing a resolution, both Globo Esporte and UOL agree that within the Confederation the atmosphere is one of "end of cycle".

In the post-match press conference in Buenos Aires, Dorival acknowledged the gravity of the moment. "It's a resounding defeat. I have to acknowledge that," the coach admitted. "The responsibility is total. Everything we planned didn't happen. Argentina was superior in every way. I apologize to the Brazilian fans."

Despite the pressure, the coach avoided confrontations with the management: "It would be very disloyal if I said anything about the president. At no time did he stop being present. It would be diexcelledst to point out anything in that regard."

Globo Esporte also reported that the relationship between Dorival and Rodrigues was never close. During the last FIFA date, the president of the CBF prioritized his political agenda and his re-election, so he had limited involvement in recent matches.

Could Carletto Ancelotti come to Brazil?

The Confederation is already evaluating possible replacements, and the name of Carlo Ancelotti, current coach of Real Madrid, is back on the radar. At the beginning of this cycle, Ancelotti was Rodrigues's preferred candidate, although his signing never materialized. Currently, the Italian has a contract with the Spanish club until 2026.

"Thinking about being the Brazilian national team coach is a great dream, but I don't know if in 2026 the Brazilian national team will want me," Ancelotti had stated after renewing with Real Madrid. According to Globo Esporte, after the defeat in Buenos Aires, talks with the coach resumed. "The receptivity in the initial contacts with Ancelotti, meanwhile, came with a message from the Italian: any progress will be conditioned on waiting until the end of the Club World Cup, which Real Madrid will play between June and July in the United States," the outlet reported.

"Stretching the rope with Dorival until then or betting again on an interim while negotiating with the Italian is one of the doubts of the CBF president at this moment," the report concludes.

Other alternatives

More candidates have emerged due to the poor current state of the Canarinha. Jorge Jesus (Al-Hilal), Abel Ferreira (Palmeiras), and Filipe Luís (Flamengo) are among the possible options in case Ancelotti doesn't arrive. However, all are currently linked to teams that will compete in the Club World Cup, complicating an immediate decision. In the case of Filipe Luís, journalist Mauro Cezar, in his blog on UOL, assured that the former player has no intention of leaving his project at Flamengo, although the club fears more a possible offer from Europe than a call from the CBF.

Instability in the Brazilian national team

Since the departure of Tite, who led the team between 2016 and 2022, Brazil has not managed to consolidate a stable project. In 2023, Ramón Menezes took over on an interim basis, but with negative results. Then, Fernando Diniz took the position, also on an interim basis, while managing Fluminense, although his cycle ended after the defeat against Argentina in November, which ended the historic home unbeaten streak of the Verdeamarelha in the South American Qualifiers.

Dorival Júnior took over in March 2024 and debuted with a victory against England at Wembley, but his overall performance failed to solidify. In 16 matches, his record is 7 wins, 6 draws, and 3 losses. Currently, Brazil has 21 points in the South American Qualifiers and is in direct qualification positions for the 2026 World Cup, with a six-point advantage over Venezuela, which would currently play the play-off.

However, the CBF management aims to reach the next World Cup with a solid project. In that scenario, they consider it appropriate to change course and bring in a coach who can revitalize this Brazil, diminished both football-wise and emotionally.