Pep Guardiola 'on three-man shortlist' for his dream job as Man City exit route emerges

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has seen a job that may pique his interest become available and he is said to be on the shortlist alongside Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti

Pep Guardiola is on a three-man shortlist to become Brazil boss after the nation sacked their manager. Dorival Junior was relieved of his duties following a 4-1 thrashing by Argentina over the international break.

The Selecao were humbled by their biggest rivals in World Cup qualifying as Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister and Giuliano Simeone got on the scoresheet, while Matheus Cunha's goal counted for little. The loss left the five-time world champions fourth in qualifying and 10 points behind the current holders, with a top-six finish required for automatic qualification.

Five defeats in 14 matches ensured that Dorival was handed his marching orders little over a year after being appointed. And Manchester City boss Guardiola is now among those being considered to take the reins according to reports.

It is claimed the CFA's priority is to hire a foreign manager to take them into the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Guardiola is joined by Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti and former Benfica and Sporting Clube head coach Jorge Jesus under consideration.

Ancelotti was approached by the Brazilian FA in 2022 and 2023, and reports have already suggested re-elected CFA president Ednaldo Rodrigues is ready to make a new attempt. The Italian has previously suggested he will honour his contract in Spain, which runs until 2026.

Jesus meanwhile is in charge of Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal and endured a tense relationship with Brazilian hopeful Neymar. The coach has recently softened his stance on the player however.

Guardiola has previously admitted an interested in international football, with the Brazil job said to be one he has his eye on. The Catalan coach extended his deal with City earlier this season.

"A national team," said Guardiola last year. "I would like to train a national team for a World Cup or a European Championship. I would like that.

"When I started in this I never thought about winning a league title or winning the Champions League. No. I thought, I have a job? OK. I would like to have the experience of living through a World Cup, or a Euro or a Copa America, or whatever it is. I would like that."

In November,- Brazil chief Rodrigues was forced to deny claims that he had already contacted Guardiola. "Although he is one of the greatest coaches in the world, there was no involvement from the CBF to make any contact," he told ESPN Brasil.

"We've been working with the coaching staff led by Dorival Júnior and we're satisfied. Yes [Dorival continues], the point is that he has a contract, the CBF has until 2026, he goes until the World Cup ... It's up to him."

Guardiola has endured his most difficult season yet at City, and the club sit in fifth battling for Champions League qualification. The Premier League champions can still find success in the FA Cup and Club World Cup however.

The 2024/25 season has been a learning curve for the former Barcelona boss. “In the good moments, always you learn,” said Guardiola.

"In the bad moments as well, we learn. Sometimes the experiences can happen many, many times and, if you don't learn, you have the problems again and again. Of course, of course, it's a good lesson for me, personally

“I learned a lot - and hopefully for the club as well. When I said in the past - and the people said 'Ah, Pep is naive' - that qualification for the Champions League is a huge success, the people didn't believe me. Now they believe me.”

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