Rejection of foreign coach in the national team decreases, points out Datafolha

Brazilians’ rejection of a foreign coach in the national team is lower after the World Cup, shows the most recent Datafolha survey. There are still more people against than in favor, but the difference has narrowed considerably after the team’s failure in Qatar.

There are 41% in favor of hiring an outside coach by the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation). 48% opposed it. There are 6% indifferent about the question, and 5% did not know how to respond on the subject.

Datafolha interviewed 2,026 people aged 16 or over, in 126 municipalities, on the 19th and 20th of December. The poll’s margin of error is plus or minus two percentage points within the 95% confidence level.

The result of the most recent survey shows a significant variation in relation to the previous one, carried out in July, with the same margin of error. At the time, there were 30% in favor and 55% against.

The change in numbers certainly has to do with Brazil’s failure at the World Cup and the subsequent drop in the ratings of Tite’s work. He confirmed that he will not remain at the helm of the national team, and the CBF is now looking for a replacement.

The entity’s president, Ednaldo Rodrigues, is not passionate about the idea of ​​hiring a foreigner, but he has already shown that he can review his position. His finding is that there is no undisputed Brazilian name – as there was when Tite was hired, in 2016.

Rodrigues started looking at other centres, but some of the prestigious coaches have already closed the door on him. Italian Carlo Ancelotti has said he intends to stay at Real Madrid unless they sack him. Catalan Pep Guardiola has renewed his contract with Manchester City.

Brazilian club football has had recent cases of great success with foreign coaches, especially Portuguese ones. Jorge Jesus won the 2019 Copa Libertadores and several other titles with Flamengo. Abel Ferreira, from Palmeiras, triumphed at Libertadores in 2020 and 2021.

The results helped to undermine resistance, which, however, is still considerable. No wonder, the two are among the listed. Among the Brazilians, names such as Dorival Júnior, Mano Menezes and Fernando Diniz appear. Ednaldo has already warned that he will decide alone.

If you choose a foreigner, you will have greater resistance from women: 54% are against, only 33% in favor. Men are more open to the idea: 50% are in favor, 43% against. In terms of gender, the margin of error is three percentage points, more or less.

There is also a greater openness of younger people compared to older ones. In the range of 16 to 24 years old, for example, there are 46% in favor and 46% against. In the age range of 60 years or older, 32% are in favor and 51% are against. In the age cut, the margin of error is five points.