Pep Guardiola fits the bill as Brazil legend refuses to deny job talks and issues demand

Footballing great Ronaldo has refused to deny that he's spoken to Pep Guardiola about taking the Brazil job - and demanded they hire one of the best coaches in the world.

Dorival Junior, who has only ever managed in Brazil, is their current manager, having taken over from the sacked Fernando Diniz at the start of last year. However, their form has been iffy, with Brazil fifth in World Cup qualifying and winning just three of their last six, most recently drawing with Venezuela and Uruguay back in November.

Guardiola has long been linked with the job, having previously flirted with the idea of moving into international management. At the same time as Brazil's two draws, the president of the Brazilian Football Confederation, Ednaldo Rodrigues, released a statement denying they had contacted the Man City boss regarding him becoming the new head coach.

Rodrigues said: "Although he is one of the greatest coaches in the world, there was no involvement from the CBF to make any contact. We've been working with the coaching staff led by Dorival Júnior and we're satisfied. Yes [Dorival continues], the point is that he has a contract, the CBF has until 2026, he goes until the World Cup ... It's up to him."

Guardiola then signed a new deal with Manchester City in the same month, committing his future with the club he has managed since 2016 all the way through to 2027. However, Brazil's top World Cup goalscorer and retired footballer Ronaldo believes that a proven winner is what's needed for the team - and Pep fits that bill.

During an interview with ESPN, Ronaldo was asked if he had spoken to Guardiola personally about managing the national team. The pair played together for one season at Barcelona, and while Ronaldo was coy when answering the question, he admitted that the team deserves the best.

The 48-year-old said: "I would love to be able to tell you everything I'm doing. But, at this moment, diverting attention from the main problem of Brazilian football is not going to help. The choice of coach is important, and I am talking about it. But we cannot lose focus.

"The Brazilian national team needs to have the best players and coaches. Whoever arrives must play a key role in the development of Brazilian football. I want him to be actively involved in that process."

Ronaldo also noted that people who have won trophies in their career are what Brazil needs to move forward, which is another thing Guardiola has plenty of experience of.

Ronaldo said: "I want to involve former champions with the Brazilian national team, with clubs, in every state of the country, and offer training in management and technical direction to those who do not yet have it. Give these former players the opportunity to continue within the football industry."

In total, Guardiola has won six LaLiga titles with Barcelona as a player, and 12 league titles in his career as manager - six with City, three with Barcelona and three with Bayern Munich.

Ronaldo has also admitted that the job of a national team manager is a difficult one, given the short amount of time the players spend with the squad. He added: "Every time the national team meets, the coach has less time . It's increasingly difficult for him: training two or three days, playing two games, respecting the players' workload at their clubs and preparing for the matches.

"It's a very cruel schedule for players and coaches. I think this is still a reflection of the top of the pyramid, which ends up affecting everyone in the Brazilian national team."

So while Ronaldo didn't outwardly name Guardiola as the next successor for the Brazilian national team position, it is clear that he believes proven winners are what the country needs to return to international glory.