If it at first you don’t succeed, have another go...
That’s the message the Brazilian football confederation have sent out, as they confirmed on Tuesday that former coach Carlos Dunga will take over as the new national team manager a second stint in charge of the Selecao.
Dunga, 50, was in charge of Brazil from 2006-10 as he won the 2007 Copa America and 2009 Confederations Cup. However a poor showing at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where Brazil lost 2-1 to the Netherlands, saw Dunga fired.
[RELATED: Story of the WC]
Now the former Brazilian national team captain, who led the side to World Cup glory in 1994 in the USA, will get a second bite at the cherry as he aims to restore the proud soccer nation to its past glories. Brazil have won the World Cup five-times in its history, but they haven’t tasted success since 2002.
Following the 2014 World Cup on home soil this summer Luis Felipe Scolari resigned from his position as national team manager. Scolari, 65, was also in his second stint in charge of the Selecao after winning the World Cup in 2002 for Brazil. Scolari’s side were hammered 7-1 by Germany in the World Cup semifinal as the Brazilian fans had to at least reach the final as hosts.
Dunga was last in charge of Brazilian side Internacional but was relieved of his duties in late 2013 after a poor run of results.
Under the former holding midfielder, Brazil will likely play in a more pragmatic, structured and defensive manner and take things back to basics. The level of respect Dunga has from the entire soccer community in the world, let alone in Brazil, means he will be able to set up the team how he wants them to play and hopefully get the best from a core of talented young players.
With Neymar the standout superstar and plenty of talent to work with, Dunga’s first aim will to shore up the defense and make Brazil hard to beat. With David Luiz and Thiago Silva in the center of defense, Dunga has solid base to build off. A new era is being ushered in by the Brazilian legend, let’s see how this goes second time around.