Carletto got competition: Four candidates for Brazil bench and one name will shock you

Dorival Junior's poor spell on Brazil's bench ended a week ago after approximately 14 months. The 62-year-old tactician has led the Selecao 16 times, noting seven wins, six draws, and three defeats. Considering that we're talking about the five-time World Champions, it's disappointing.

The Brazilians were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the 2024 Copa America by Uruguay on penalties, while the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers have been full of ups and downs. Finally, the devastating defeat to Argentina in Buenos Aires in the previous qualifying game turned out to be Dorival's last match in charge.

Given that the Selecao will continue the qualifiers already in June, with two vital clashes against Ecuador and Paraguay, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has already begun looking for Dorival's replacement. Pep Guardiola has long been in the mix, but his decision to extend the deal with Man City has definitely closed his door to the Brazilians.

Yet, Carlo Ancelotti - who will reportedly leave Madrid at the end of the current campaign - is still an option, though the Brazilian journalist Andre Rizek revealed there are four candidates for the vacant position, of which one is particularly shocking - Jose Mourinho!

"I will confirm to you four names that are on the CBF table. The four names are the favorites and are being evaluated. I believe that their favorite is Jorge Jesus. The main name, the most plausible is Jesus. But, besides Jesus, there is Abel Ferreira, Carlo Ancelotti and the new addition, which has not been mentioned yet, Jose Mourinho entered the list of names evaluated," said Rizek via Globo.

Interestingly, Jesus (Al Hilal), Ferreira (Palmeiras), and Ancelotti (Real Madrid) all coach teams that will participate in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup next June, so each of them would have to balance the club and national team obligations if they take charge at Brazil and stay with their respective clubs, of course.

From that perspective, Mourinho would be the most "approachable" option - as his Fenerbahce will be free once the season ends - though he's never coached a national team or expressed desire to take up such a challenge. Either way, the clock is ticking and the Brazilians have to act fast.