Barcelona and Brazil defender Dani Alves has claimed Pep Guardiola was turned down for the Selecao head coach job before the World Cup.
The former midfielder has long been credited with an interest in taking on the Brazil post and is thought to have been in the running in the autumn of 2012, as the Brazilian Football Confederation sought a replacement for Mano Menezes.
Brazil ultimately handed the role to 2002 World Cup-winner Luiz Felipe Scolari, who oversaw the triumph at the 2013 Confederations Cup prior to the World Cup on home soil which saw them exit at the semi-final stage thanks to a now infamous 7-1 thrashing by Germany.
And Alves, who enjoyed supreme success under Guardiola at Barcelona, has hit out at the CBF for failing to appoint the current Bayern Munich boss when they had the chance.
"Before the World Cup, Pep wanted to coach the Brazil side but they weren't keen," the full-back told Bola de Vez.
"Pep said that he wanted to make us the best in the world and had a strategy planned out... but they didn't want him.
"They said they didn't know if the Brazilian people would accept him. But if you don't accept the best in the world, someone who can make us better, you don't care about the Selecao.
"Since I started playing for Brazil, he had a team in his head. Pep is the best coach in the world. He's a guy who revolutionised football.
"We had the chance to get him without spending loads of money... his intention was only to receive money if he delivered results. How do you let an opportunity like that slide?"
Scolari was replaced by Dunga following the 2014 finals but the former midfielder failed to inspire success at this summer's Copa America, as they exited at the quarter-final stage to Paraguay.
--> Brazil ultimately handed the role to 2002 World Cup-winner Luiz Felipe Scolari, who oversaw the triumph at the 2013 Confederations Cup prior to the World Cup on home soil which saw them exit at the semi-final stage thanks to a now infamous 7-1 thrashing by Germany.
And Alves, who enjoyed supreme success under Guardiola at Barcelona, has hit out at the CBF for failing to appoint the current Bayern Munich boss when they had the chance.
"Before the World Cup, Pep wanted to coach the Brazil side but they weren't keen," the full-back told Bola de Vez.
"Pep said that he wanted to make us the best in the world and had a strategy planned out... but they didn't want him.
"They said they didn't know if the Brazilian people would accept him. But if you don't accept the best in the world, someone who can make us better, you don't care about the Selecao.
"Since I started playing for Brazil, he had a team in his head. Pep is the best coach in the world. He's a guy who revolutionised football.
"We had the chance to get him without spending loads of money... his intention was only to receive money if he delivered results. How do you let an opportunity like that slide?"
Scolari was replaced by Dunga following the 2014 finals but the former midfielder failed to inspire success at this summer's Copa America, as they exited at the quarter-final stage to Paraguay.
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