The first coach to remain in charge of the Brazilian national team after losing a Cup, Tite, 61, with the elimination against Croatia in Qatar, equaled Mario Zagallo, 91, and Telê Santana (1931-2006).
The three have two defeats in World Cups on their resume. Tite, in 2018 and 2022; Telê, in 1982 and 1986; Zagallo, in 1974 and 1998.
Zagallo, however, triumphed in the 1970 World Cup, as a coach, by commanding a team with Pelé, Jairzinho, Tostão, Gerson and company; and also as technical coordinator at the 1994 World Cup in the USA.
In addition, as a left winger, Zagallo became world champion in the 1958 Cups in Sweden and 1962 in Chile.
Telê, unlike Tite, did not stay in the role after the loss to Italy in the 1982 Spanish Cup. He returned, however, to qualify Brazil for the Mexico Cup, in which the team, like this time, lost in the quarterfinals and on penalties, to France.
In his resume, Tite will have, in addition to the setbacks in two World Cups, the defeat by Argentina in the final of last year’s Copa América, in the middle of Maracanã, a result that ended a 28-year fast of the Argentines without titles with the main team. .
They were notable defeats, but the coach, who confirmed his departure from the national team and should take a sabbatical before returning to professional activities, won a title, the 2019 Copa América, when, also at Maracanã, Brazil defeated Peru.
“A painful defeat, but at peace with myself. End of cycle,” he said, at a press conference after the game at the Education City stadium in Al Rayyan, near Doha, the country’s capital.
Tite was coach of the national team, since his debut with a 3-0, in a game for the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers, against Ecuador, on September 1, 2016, until the draw –with defeat on penalties– on December 9 of 2022, 60 wins, 15 draws and 6 losses.
A great use of 74% of victories, but not enough to win a World Cup.
With the departure of Tite, which was already defined regardless of Brazil being successful in the Qatari World Cup, speculations about the substitute begin.
The names of Mano Menezes, coach of Internacional who has already played for the national team (from 2010 to 2012), Dorival Júnior, champion coach with Flamengo in Libertadores this year, Pep Guardiola, Spaniard who manages Manchester City, and Abel Ferreira, Portuguese ahead of Palmeiras.
The CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) did not give a date for the definition of the new coach of the national team.
Ednaldo Rodrigues, president of the organization, is not very fond of the possibility of putting a foreigner in charge of the Brazilian team. But it might be the way.
At the moment, Ednaldo has no idea who will replace the coach who led the country in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. He doesn’t see many options among Brazilians that he considers worthy of the position. That’s why he can make room for a foreigner.
As a seasoned news journalist, I bring a wealth of experience to the field. I’ve worked with world-renowned news organizations, honing my skills as a writer and reporter. Currently, I write for the sports section at News Bulletin 247, where I bring a unique perspective to every story.
