After missing out on first-choice Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil have appointed Dorival Junior as their next national team coach.

Experienced Italian Ancelotti had been expected to take up the post, but instead extended his stay at Real Madrid last week to at least 2026.

That meant the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) had to move to Plan B and they have opted for 61-year-old Sao Paulo coach Dorival Junior, his club confirmed in a statement.

“Sao Paulo Football Club announces the departure of coach Dorival Junior, who has asked to leave to take charge of the Brazilian national team,” the team said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter.

Dorival led Flamengo to the Copa Libertadores title and the Brazilian Cup in 2022 before joining Sao Paulo. He has also coached Atletico Mineiro, Athletico Paranaense, Internacional, Vasco da Gama, Fluminense and Palmeiras.

Brazil are in a bit of a fix on and off the pitch. They lie sixth in the South American World Cup qualifying standings after winning only two of their six games and suffering three defeats.

That led to the decision to sack coach Diniz came after Ednaldo Rodrigues was reinstated as head of the CBF, after a decision by minister Gilmar Mendes of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), following his dismissal in early December by the Rio de Janeiro Court of Justice.