Sources: Brazil fire interim coach Diniz after Ancelotti’s snub

Brazil's interim coach Fernando Diniz was fired by the national football federation (CBF) on Friday, sources told ESPN Brasil.

The decision came a day after the return of CBF President Ednaldo Rodrigues following a ruling by Brazil's Supreme Court. Rodrigues and all of his leaders were removed from office on December 7 after a Rio de Janeiro court ruling regarding irregularities in the 2022 electoral process.

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São Paulo coach Dorival Junior is currently the favorite to take over as permanent head coach, with Rodrigues having already spoken to São Paulo president Julio Casares, sources have told ESPN Brasil.

São Paulo does not want to let its coach leave for free and has asked the CBF to pay a fee to terminate Dorival's contract, which will amount to around 4.5 million reais ($920,000), sources said.

Diniz was hired as interim coach of the five-time World Cup winners in July on a one-year deal, with the federation confident of appointing Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti this summer after his contract with the giants ends Spanish.

However, Ancelotti last week signed a new contract with Madrid until 2026. Without Ancelotti as an option, Rodrigues has now decided to hire a permanent replacement for Tite, who resigned after Brazil's quarter-final elimination from the 2022 World Cup.

Diniz's contract was due to expire before the 2024 Copa America, which will take place in the United States from June 20.

During his time in Brazil, Diniz remained head coach of Fluminense, who he led to the Copa Libertadores title in November.

However, he has overseen a disappointing start to Brazil's campaign to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Brazil have lost three of their first six matches and are in sixth place in the standings. Only the top six teams from South America qualify automatically, with seventh place entering the playoffs.