Brazil have reportedly identified an alternative appointment to Pep Guardiola should he decide to reject coaching the record world champions.
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By the lofty standards of the five-time FIFA World Cup winners, they have had a poor qualification campaign for the 2026 edition of the global showpiece. They currently sit in fifth place, seven points behind table-toppers and arch-rivals Argentina.
The run has not covered Brazil head coach Dorival Junior in glory, and according to Sport, Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) president Ednaldo Rodrigues is looking for a world-class head coach to revive the nation's football team.
The Selecao have not been coached by a foreigner in close to a century, but it seems that in this instance, they are willing to make an exception as they have been trying to recruit Guardiola.
The Spaniard has been on the CBF's wishlist for a number of years, as they even tried to land him during the 2022/23 season when Manchester City won the treble. However, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss rejected their approach.
It looks as though the South American juggernauts are going to try and lure him again, but with the 53-year-old seemingly poised to ink an extension at the Etihad Stadium, it may force Rodrigues to look elsewhere. The person viewed as the best alternative is Carlo Ancelotti.
The same report claims that the CBF were actively pursuing the record UEFA Champions League-winning manager last season, but after he extended his contract, it became more difficult to sign him. However, the situation has now changed at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Los Blancos underperforming in Spain and in Europe this campaign.
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There have been murmurings that Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso could replace him at the end of the season, and should that happen, Brazil will be keen on pouncing on the opportunity to sign the 65-year-old.