The
CBF is working behind the scenes to convince
Pep Guardiola to take over the
Brazilian national team in case of leaving
Manchester City. This, at least, is the information brought by
The New York Times, in a report on the coach's future, in his last year of contract with the
Premier League club.
"Well-placed sources – who will remain anonymous to protect relationships" – have indicated that the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) is making a big move to sign Guardiola, calling the Catalan several times this year," the newspaper writes.
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According to
ESPN, however, the story is not quite like that. CBF intermediaries have, in fact, sought information about Guardiola on two recent occasions. But the last contact was made in 2022, long before the choice of
Dorival Júnior. There was nothing after that.
Ednaldo Rodrigues was already in charge of the CBF, and all these contacts were made with the knowledge and authorization of the president. Guardiola's brother, Pere, was one of those sought and declined the Brazilian interest, thanking, however, the contact. Talks did not advance after this refusal.
To people close to him, Ednaldo reinforces that he does not have this plan to invest in signing Guardiola, nor did he ask anyone to seek new contacts with him. The CBF's understanding is that any publication on the subject is more speculation about the future of the coaches themselves, than an "open vacancy" in the national team, since confidence in Dorival is highlighted.
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There is, however, an important backstage today in the CBF, with an internal dispute for power, with people linked to the IDP (Brazilian Institute of Education, Development and Research), led by Francisco Schertel Mendes (son of Minister Gilmar Mendes); and to the core of Hugo Figueiredo, who is chief of staff of the presidency of the confederation.
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Guardiola in the Brazilian national team? Not quite...
CBF intermediaries have, in fact, sought information about Guardiola on two recent occasions. But the last contact was made in 2022, long before the choice of Dorival Júnior. There was nothing after that.
People who are part of the CBF board do not rule out, for example, that someone from this other group has signaled to Guardiola. This, however, would have happened on his own initiative, without Ednaldo's consent – who does not put the Catalan on the agenda, nor is he interested in hiring.
Interestingly, on Thursday (7), the CBF received a visit from executives of the City Group, including CEO Ferran Soriano - just as the entity receives any other groups of influence in football. Guardiola, of course, was the topic of conversation at one point, but in a completely informal way.
In addition to citing possible talks with the CBF, the
New York Times report also states that Guardiola has not yet made a decision for the future after the end of his contract and cites sources who believe that, today, the most likely scenario is that he chooses to continue for at least another year at City.
Speculation around Brazil is gaining strength because Guardiola has already declared that he wants to take over a national team in the future.
England was also mentioned as a possibility recently, but the option ended up being to sign
Thomas Tuchel.
Pep Guardiola is a target for the Brazilian national team for 2025 Art/ESPN/Getty Images
Brazil, in turn, under the command of Dorival, is already called to return to the field next week, in a Fifa Date that foresees commitments against
Venezuela(on Thursday, 14, at 6 pm, away from home) and
Uruguay(the following Tuesday, 7 pm, at 9:45 pm, in Salvador).