Brazilian newspaper Lance has published details of a conversation between their editor and a contact close to Pep Guardiola, with the contact insisting that the former-Barcelona coach would “take the job tomorrow” if offered.

The unusual step taken by the newspaper shows enormous faith in the reliability of their contact, which the article itself acknowledges would cause a big reaction from the CBF and Brazilian media.

Lance report their contact as saying: “The only team in the world that he would start coaching tomorrow is the Seleção. And he would be World Champion with Brazil.”

When asked to confirm exactly what he was saying, the contact added: “If Pep trained the squad, he would be World Champion – you can tell that to the president of the CBF.”

While it is always difficult to believe articles with nameless quotes, the fact that such a respected paper, using their Editor’s name in the by-line, has chosen to run the story suggests that they are confident of the reliability.

Lance have staked their editor’s reputation on releasing this article and, with their final paragraph, throw the ball to CBF president José Maria Marin to act on the information.