BRAZIL are “making a major play” for Pep Guardiola to become their next manager.
The Manchester City head coach, 53, could leave the Etihad when his contract expires at the end of the season.
It is still possible a new deal could be struck with the Premier League champions – who he joined back in 2016.
But according to The Athletic, Brazil are hoping to tempt him away and into international management.
Guardiola has made no secret of wanting to coach a national side at some stage during his career.
He was approached for the England job but gave no indication to the FA that he would be available, before they appointed Thomas Tuchel.
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Those close to Guardiola understand he likes the idea of managing Brazil – a position he was linked with two years ago.
The five-time world champions’ current coach is Dorival Junior – who has won just four of 10 matches in charge.
In the summer, they were beaten by Uruguay in the quarter-finals of the Copa America.
If Guardiola takes the Brazil job, the hope would be for him to end their 24-year wait for a sixth World Cup in 2026.
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But reports claim the more likely scenario is for him to stay at Man City for one more year and then look towards coaching a national side at the 2030 World Cup.
When asked about the Brazil job following Man City’s heavy loss to Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday, Guardiola joked: “After a 4-1 defeat, I’m no longer an option.”
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti was heavily linked with taking over at Brazil before he signed a new contract to keep him at Los Blancos until 2026.
However, he is coming under increasing pressure at the Bernabeu following back-to-back defeats against Barcelona and AC Milan.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
