Brazil Rethinks Future – Federation Accepts Scolari’s Resignation

SAO PAULO (AP):

The World Cup held potential disaster for Brazil – the country, not the team.

Yet the country pulled off a magnificent tournament, albeit with a few bumps. It’s the team that has left many Brazilians wondering what went horribly wrong.

The Cup was widely seen as theirs for the taking, especially on home turf. They finished in fourth place with their star badly injured and the brutal memory of a 7-1 semi-final rout by the Germans in front of a global audience.

It’s already clear Brazil won’t be the same after the home tournament.

A change in coach is certain after the confederation announced yesterday that Luiz Felipe Scolari will not be returning.

Scolari’s contract ended after the World Cup, and he handed over the command of the team after Saturday’s match, saying that it would be up to the confederation to decide whether he would remain at the helm of the five-time world champions.

In a statement, the confederation said that president José Maria Marin accepted what it called “Scolari’s resignation”.

Critics say bigger changes are needed, including in the local football confederation.

‘We failed’

“We failed. We didn’t play up to expectations, we know it wasn’t a good tournament,” said striker Neymar, who missed the last two matches because of a back injury. “We didn’t play the kind of football that the Brazilian national team plays. It was just regular, and that’s why we still reached the semi-finals, but it wasn’t Brazilian football, not the kind of football that enchants everybody.”