São Paulo – Brazilian manager Drival Junior was fired on Friday after 14 months amid inadequate results and a disappointing national team performance.
The removal of Junior Arles by President Ednald Rodriguez, Brazil’s Football Federation president, comes three days after losing four or one time to bitter rival Argentina in Buenos Aires, Brazil’s heaviest defeat in World Cup qualifying.
“The Union announces that the Drival Junior cycle is over,” Rodriguez told the Rio de Janeiro media. “From now on, we’re going to work on searching for alternatives. There’s been a lot of talk about contacting coaches A, B, or C, but I should say (the comment) has never come from this president or anyone who the president has given permission.”
Brazil is fifth in South America, competing in the 2026 World Cup. The top six will automatically qualify.
Under the 62-year-old junior al, Brazil won seven matches, then pulled seven more matches, losing two. However, he only won one of the last four games. The team scored 25 goals and conceded 17.
Last year, in Copa America, Brazil was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Uruguay as a penalty.
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Rodriguez was re-elected on Monday and led the Union until 2030. In 2023, he bets Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti betting more than a year later.
While waiting for Ancelotti, Brazil hired Ramon Menezes, who was under 20, as a temporary basis, then Fernando Dinis. Dinis was fired in January 2024 after two wins, one draw and three losses, and Ancelotti extended his contract in Spain.
There were the last three coaches that Brazil had three coaches before their latest title in 2002 during the World Cup. LuizFelipeScolari got a job a year before the tournaments in Japan and Korea.
Local media reported that Rodriguez would take a different approach to Ancelotti, as well as Al Giral’s superintendent Jorge Jesus. If either an Italian or Portuguese coach reaches the deal, he will become Brazil’s first foreign coach.
Brazil’s next two South American qualifying matches will be held at home in second place Ecuador in June against sixth place Paraguay.
Ancelotti’s Real Madrid and Jesus’ Al Giral will play that month at the US Club World Cup.
By Mauricio Savarese
