Rio de Janeiro, June 16: After sacking 1994 World Cup-winning skipper Dunga as the national team coach, Brazil’s football confederation (CBF) has named Tite as his successor.
The 55-year-old’s appointment comes after the Selecao were dumped out of the Copa America following a 1-0 loss to Peru on Sunday, reports Xinhua.
It was the first time Brazil have failed to progress beyond the group stage of the continental tournament since 1987.
“Tite will no longer work with (us), he accepted the CBF’s offer. Also leaving with him is his son, Matheus, and (football manager) Edu Gaspar,” his former club Corinthians’ president Roberto de Andrade said at a news conference on Wednesday.
“I was the first person he told of the decision. Until two hours ago I thought that he wouldn’t go, I was surprised.”
Tite’s main task will be to guide Brazil to the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia. The Selecao are currently sixth in the South American zone standings with just two wins from their first six matches.
Only the top four teams are guaranteed a berth in the tournament while the fifth-ranked side will earn a playoff spot.
Tite is regarded as one of the most successful managers in Corinthians’ history, having led them to the 2011 and 2015 Brazilian Serie A titles, and the 2012 Copa Libertadores-FIFA Club World Cup double.
Meanwhile, the CBF named Rogerio Micale as coach of Brazil’s Olympic football team for the Rio 2016 Games in August.
