By Rik Sharma
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Pep Guardiola is on Brazil's list of targets as they look for a new manager after sacking Mano Menezes.
Chelsea are working on a deal which would see the former Barcelona boss take the reins at Stamford Bridge in the summer.
But the Brazilian Football Confederation are hoping to make Guardiola the man who leads them to World Cup glory in 2014, a tournament they are hosting.
Target: Pep Guardiola is a target for the Brazilian Football Confederation
Gone: Mano Menezes has been axed as Brazil boss
The confederation's national squads director, Andres Sanchez, said a new coach would be installed in January.
Guardiola was Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's first choice to replace Roberto Di Matteo, who was sacked on Tuesday night.
But he is enjoying time off after resigning from his Barcelona role in the summer, happily living in his swanky New York apartment.
Rafa Benitez was appointed as interim manager until next summer, when Guardiola's 'sabbatical' is set to end - although he has indicated he may return to management sooner.
Corinthians coach Tite, Santos boss Muricy Ramalho and Luiz Felipe Scolari are other contenders for the Brazil position.
Scolari won the 2002 World Cup with Brazil, his side powered by the legendary Ronaldo overcame Germany 2-0 in the final.
He resigned after the tournament and took over Portugal, before a short and ill-fated spell at Chelsea.
Brazil are desperate to win the World Cup on their own turf and after Menezes failed to lead the team to Olympic and 2011 Copa America glory, they took action.
If you can't beat them, join them: Chelsea eliminated Guardiola's Barcelona side on the way to their Champions League victory
Menezes became coach in 2010, replacing Dunga, and recorded 20 wins, six draws and five defeats while at the helm.
The Selecao were eliminated in the quarter finals of last year's Copa America, losing to Paraguay on penalties - amazingly they missed all four spot kicks.
In the 2012 London Games they reached the final but were upset by underdogs Mexico, despite having a side which included Blues star Oscar and wonderkid Neymar.
Glory hunt: Who will take control of the side which includes precious talents such as Neymar?
Menezes sacking wrong
Andres Sanchez, general manager of the national squads said:
'I think this was not the time to make this call, it's giving up on the work done.
'But I understand the criteria. It's the president's decision and he wants different methods for the next year.
'He's a brave man, he's watching the future, so we have to respect him.
'Mano did a good job, even though he had tough times. He did not leave because of bad results.
'If the results were the key, he would have left the national team at the start of the year, not now.
'The president wants to change the methods of the national team from January.'
Confederation president Jose Maria Marin and vice-resident Marco Polo del Nero were present at the meeting, where the decision to dispense with Menezes was made.
Sanchez appeared to question the move, saying: 'I respect and understand the arguments of the directors, but I think this isn't the correct moment.'
Menezes' dismissal comes just two days after Brazil won the Superclasico de las Americas against Argentina on penalties.
Brazil lost the second leg 2-1 in Buenos Aires, but triumphed on spot-kicks in the tie which featured only players who play in the two countries' domestic leagues.
Menezes said on Twitter: 'As it has been announced, I'm not the national coach anymore.
'My thanks to all the people who worked with me on this project, specially the players that were called up during this period and all those who believed in our work.'
Former Brazil striker Romario and former Chelsea defender Juliano Belletti both backed Scolari, who led the country to their last World Cup triumph, to take the reins.
Romario said: 'The best man is Felipe, no doubt about that. And I also believe that Andres Sanchez can't continue as general manager, Rai is the correct man for the job.'
Belletti added on Twitter: 'The World Cup is only seven games, kill or be killed. Felipe is very good on that. He motivates you, and demands things from you.'
Can just imagine the uproar if, at the end of the season with all plans finalized to greet the MESSIAH only to learn that Pep is no longer interested ?. Pep is one of those managers who, despite his tender age, has probably made enough money to live comfortably without ever working again. He has a deserved reputation to maintain and maybe just maybe he may think "Why should I harm my reputation knowing that if the owner is not happy after a short period he will simply yet again, write another severance check. Just think about it. If a manager who in six months wins the Championship and the FA Cup and still get sacked then Pep could pose the question "Would it really be worth the hassle ?.
- Dennis 442 , Skaneateles New York, United States, 24/11/2012 06:00
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