By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Reports in the Brazilian media are suggesting former Corinthians boss Tite could replace Luiz Felipe Scolari once the FIFA World Cup is over. Brazil crashed out of the tournament at the semi-final stage this past Tuesday, when they were demolished 7-1 by Germany.
Scolari was visited at the side’s training camp in Granja Comary on Wednesday by CBF president José Maria Marín. Marín was the man responsible for bringing Felipão back to the Brazilian hotseat in November 2012.
Scolari defended vehemently his working methods in a heated press conference two days ago. He claimed that his work had been well done, and the statistics supported his claims. Yet the manner of their defeat to Germany has left a bitter taste in the mouths of many Brazilian fans.
Overrun in midfield and with limited options to tactically change the tie, Brazil were effectively out of the contest before half an hour had been played, after conceding five goals in eighteen minutes.
The man who is allegedly the most likely to replace him is Tite, renowned for his tactical awareness. In 2011, he won the Campeonato Brasileiro with Paulista club Corinthians. The following year he exceeded that national title, and lifted the Copa Libertadores, the South American equivalent of the UEFA Champions League, after seeing off Argentine giants Boca Juniors in the final.
Yet even that feat was topped at the end of 2012. In the FIFA Club World Cup, Corinthians defeated Chelsea 1-0 to be crowned world champions. It is widely believed his tactical vision is a perfect fit for the current Brazilian squad.
While Scolari won several friendlies and even lifted the Confederations Cup last June, his failure in such a resounding fashion may mean that in three days it will be the end of the road for the 2002 World Cup winner.
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