Brazil have solely gained two of their first six South American World Cup qualifying matches and had been crushed 1-0 at residence by Argentina in NovemberIt was late February 2022 when Tite revealed he could be stepping down as Brazil head coach on the finish of the Qatar World Cup.That, in idea, gave the Brazilian FA (CBF) loads of time to work on his substitute. As it turned out, although, it wasn’t sufficient.Since then, the Selecao have had two caretaker managers – Ramon Menezes and Fernando Diniz – and one other supervisor they assumed had been employed and publicly announced it however wasn’t – Carlo Ancelotti.Only now, after they tackle England this Saturday at Wembley, will Brazil lastly have in Dorival Jr a everlasting supervisor in cost, placing an finish to what was largely perceived back residence as “a lost year”.”That was the result of much disorganisation and also some arrogance to believe that any coach would just come running [to take the job] because it’s the Brazilian national team,” former Brazil worldwide Walter Casagrande, now a well-liked soccer pundit, informed BBC Sport.In 2023, the Selecao completed a yr with extra defeats than wins for the primary time since 1963 – in whole, they misplaced 5 instances, drew as soon as and gained simply 3 times in 9 video games, breaking a number of damaging data alongside the way in which, together with shedding a house World Cup qualifier – versus Argentina – and three consecutive qualifiers – versus Colombia, Uruguay and Argentina – for the primary time.In six qualifying matches, they’ve conceded extra objectives (seven) than in the complete earlier marketing campaign (5 in 17 video games).Overall, the Brazilians managed to beat solely Guinea, Bolivia and Peru, so it is no shock the group’s confidence earlier than the game with England is at its lowest stage for the reason that 7-1 thrashing by Germany in 2014.With a new era beginning in London, the five-time world champions can be hoping to transfer on from arguably one among their worst years in current historical past.”The current Brazilian side cannot compete with any top European team,” added Casagrande. “And that also applies to France, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands, Croatia and others.””One of the greatest humiliations in the history of Brazilian football”Having final gained the World Cup trophy in 2002, equalling their longest run with out lifting it – the 24 years between 1970 and 1994 – the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) made Ancelotti prime of their checklist after the quarter-finals exit in Qatar.It immediately sparked a neighborhood debate on whether or not Brazil ought to watch for any coach, no matter how spectacular their CV was.With Ancelotti underneath contract for another season with Real Madrid back then, CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues determined he was definitely worth the wait and confirmed he would solely take over at this yr’s Copa America.”He will be there, it’s a sure thing,” defined Rodrigues final July.Brazil and Real Madrid winger Rodrygo pictured with Real boss Carlo AncelottiSuch was the fiddle that point that Under-20 nationwide group boss Menezes had to journey to Brazil on his time without work in the course of the Under-20 World Cup in Argentina to announce the senior squad for friendlies and return the identical day to the neighbouring nation as a result of there was nobody else to do it.In his transient spell, Menezes failed to impress, so Rodrigues got here up with one other uncommon answer, naming Fluminense coach Diniz on a brief foundation whereas he nonetheless maintained his function with the Libertadores Cup champions.Despite being extremely rated within the nation, Diniz could not make an influence both. And as if issues could not get any worse, Rodrigues was faraway from his put up in December by a neighborhood court docket, which prompted Fifa to threaten to droop Brazil from worldwide competitions due to third-party interference.Rock backside got here when Ancelotti introduced later that month that he’d be extending his contract with Real Madrid till 2026. “I’m grateful for the interest, but in the end, it turned out how I wanted: staying here,” he mentioned in a information convention.It went down as “one of the greatest humiliations” within the historical past of Brazilian soccer. “Ancelotti has never confirmed that he would coach Brazil nor has CBF ever presented any concrete evidence [apart from words] that he had agreed to,” argued three-time world champion and former Brazil ahead Tostao, now a Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper columnist.Moving on from the Ancelotti fiascoSo the Selecao began 2024 with an interim president, an interim coach and never a lot hope for the long run. Even by the CBF requirements, that was a new low.In the early days of January, nonetheless, Rodrigues was reinstated as president and, as one among his first actions back in workplace, fired Diniz over the cellphone and changed him with Dorival Junior from Sao Paulo.Real Madrid ahead Vinicius Jr is one among Brazil’s star gamersHaving lengthy held a ‘firefighter’ repute for saving determined sides, Dorival survived prostate most cancers in 2019 and has since reached the height of his profession, successful the Libertadores Cup in 2022 and the Brazilian Cup for the 2 consecutive seasons. The Wembley match versus England will definitely really feel particular for him.”Last year was completely lost but we need to see how Dorival will do now,” mentioned Casagrande.Saturday can be an excellent gauge of how far Brazil have come.