Brazil eye Pep Guardiola after sacking Dorival Junior | OneFootball

The Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) have added Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola to their list of targets after parting ways with Dorival Junior, a report has claimed.

Dorival's future came into the spotlight after the crushing 4-1 defeat to Argentina earlier this week and his dismissal was formally confirmed on Friday evening, leaving the CBF hunting for a new manager to continue their bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

There is significant interest in Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti and there were even reports that CBF officials had spoken to the Italian before their decision to part ways with Dorival, although Ancelotti himself firmly dismissed the speculation on Friday.

According to UOL, Ancelotti remains a key target as part of the CBF's bid to hire a foreign coach, but there is also interest in hiring Guardiola.

This is not the first time Guardiola's name has been mentioned in association with the Brazil job. Indeed, back in November, it was claimed the boss had held "secret talks" over taking charge of the Selecao after the 2026 World Cup.

Ancelotti is another ambitious target / Clive Brunskill/GettyImages

Since, then, Guardiola has signed a new contract with City to commit himself to the club until the summer of 2027, and he has publicly insisted he will not walk away from the Cityzens in the midst of their struggles even if they are forcibly relegated because of alleged financial mismanagement.

Guardiola has, however, openly expressed a desire to test his hand at international management when his time with City comes to a close.

CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues has insisted there has been no formal contact with any potential replacements for Dorival.

"From now on, we will look for a replacement," he explained. "What was said about there being contact did not go through the CBF management. In due course, we will inform the replacement."