Chelsea flop on shortlist to become next Brazil boss if Ancelotti does not join and trigger managerial merry-go-round
A FORMER Chelsea flop is being lined up as the next Brazil boss if Carlo Ancelotti snubs a Samba summons.
Current national team chief Dorival Junior is under huge pressure after a 4-1 thrashing by Argentina last night.
The result means Brazil are a whopping TEN POINTS behind their bitter rivals in the South American World Cup qualifying group – and facing a battle to even make the tournament.
And fans are still fuming over several other dismal qualifying results, including a draw with Venezuela and a defeat to Paraguay.
Brazilian outlet Globo claims Dorival is now on borrowed time.
But questions remain as to who will take charge of the record five-time winners.
Real Madrid boss Ancelotti is Brazil’s top choice.
The Italian has been linked with an exit this summer, especially if Real fail to defend their LaLiga and Champions League titles.
It would trigger an almighty managerial merry-go-round, with Los Blancos expected to move for Xabi Alonso as Bayer Leverkusen target Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner.
But it is unclear whether Ancelotti fancies giving up club management for internationals.
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And should he stay put at the Bernabeu, former Chelsea defender Filipe Luis could take the reins.
The 39-year-old spent one year at Stamford Bridge in the 2014/15 campaign, making just 15 league appearances under Jose Mourinho.
Luis won a Premier League title and Carabao Cup before immediately returning to Atletico Madrid, where he had already been a LaLiga winner and Champions League finalist.
The former left-back then ended his career in 2023 with Brazilian giants Flamengo, where he became a legend with two titles and two Copa Libertadores.
Luis, capped 44 times by his country, is now their manager after replacing ex-Brazil boss Tite in September.
He’s already picked up three trophies as boss.
And Luis is already on an incredible 24-game winning streak after losing just once in the dugout.
However, his brilliant form has now caught the attention of the Brazilian FA.
They reportedly have Luis as one of the top alternatives to Ancelotti.
And an approach could be made after the Club World Cup, where Flamengo will play Luis’ former side Chelsea in the group stages.
But under-fire Brazil boss Dorival does not currently fear being chopped.
After losing to Argentina, he said: “It’s a situation that is beyond my control.
“The pressure is always great, I am aware of everything it represents, of everything that has been developed.”
Filipe Luis' amazing career stats
- Figueirense, 2003-2004: 54 games, 5 goals
- Real Madrid B (loan), 2005-2006: 37 games, 0 goals
- Deportivo, 2006-2010: 135 games, 8 goals
- Atletico Madrid, 2010-2014: 180 games, 5 goals
- Chelsea, 2014-2015: 26 games, 1 goal
- Atletico Madrid, 2015-2019: 153 games, 7 goals
- Flamengo, 2019-2023: 175 games, 4 goals
- Brazil, 2009-2019: 44 games, 2 goals
Trophies
- Figueirense: Campeonato Catarinense x2
- Atletico Madrid: La Liga, Copa del Rey, Europa League x2, Uefa Super Cup x2
- Chelsea: Premier League, Carabao Cup
- Flamengo: Brazil Serie A x2, Brazilian Cup, Brazilian Super Cup x2, Copa Libertadores x2, Recopa, Campeonato Carioca
- Brazil: Copa America, Confederations Cup