By Chris Wright
“Pssst. Dani. Can I let you into a little secret?”
Dani Alves has revealed that Pep Guardiola had a secret yearning to take charge of Brazil for the 2014 World Cup and that his ex-Barcelona coach even drew up a comprehensive strategy to transform the Seleção into world champions again.
However, Alves also claims that Guardiola’s plans for world (cup) domination fell through as the Brazilian football federation were unwilling to hire a non-Brazilian coach for the national side.
“Pep said he wanted to make Brazil a World Cup champion and had an entire strategy to make us a world champion,” Alves told ESPN Brasil.
“They didn’t want it, because they said that they didn’t know if Brazil would accept a foreign coach.”
The 32-year-old full-back went on to rue missing the opportunity to once again play under the man he deems “the best coach in the world”.
“[Guardiola] revolutionised football, revolutionised a team, and we had the chance to have him with us,” Alves continued.
“If you let an opportunity like this go by, then you are not really thinking about the national team.”
This all coming on the anniversary of Brazil’s spectacular 7-1 semi-final meltdown against eventual winners Germany.
How timely.