By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Carlos Caetano Bledorn Verri, known as “Dunga”, was unveiled as the new coach of the Brazilian national side – the Seleção Brasileira – to begin his second spell in charge of the five-time world champions yesterday morning (Tuesday, July 22nd) in Rio de Janeiro. The 1994 World Cup winning captain replaced Luiz Felipe Scolari, who left the post after the country’s failed World Cup mission earlier this month.
José Maria Marín, president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) officially presented the new manager to the media at a press conference, following the dismissal of Luiz Felipe Scolari less than two weeks ago.
The members of Dunga’s backroom staff were also revealed at the same presentation. Paulo Paixão and José Luiz Runco should remain in their roles, after it being initially thought they would follow Scolari out of the door.
Dunga’s immediate task will be to restore confidence after the damage done by Brazil’s 7-1 thrashing at the hands of Germany in the World Cup semi-final. Tipped as one of the favorites to lift the trophy, the hosts finished in fourth place after losing the third placed play-off to Holland 3-0.
Dunga previously was at the helm of the Seleção ship between 2006 and 2010. He took over from Carlos Alberto Perreira, who became technical director under Felipão. During his first spell in charge the former Internacional skipper won the 2007 Copa America, the 2009 Confederations Cup and finished top of the South American qualifying group for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Yet he was sacked after Brazil crashed out of the cup at the quarter-final stage following a 2-1 defeat to eventual finalists Holland. In those four years Dunga took charge of sixty matches with the national side. Brazil won 42, drew twelve and lost only six.
Former Corinthians boss Tite had earlier been touted as a potential successor to Scolari. But over the weekend rumors in the Brazilian press grew increasingly stronger surrounding Dunga. His stock rose when Gilmar Rinaldi was announced as the new technical co-coordinator of the various Brazilian national teams.
Dunga worked with Rinaldi previously with Gaúcho club Internacional as well as during his first spell in charge of the Seleção and the pair have known each other for almost thirty years. Dunga is seen as having the right characteristics for the present situation. He has a reputation for maximizing the focus of his players and cares little for the commercial side of the game, in stark contrast to his predecessor.
His first competition arrives in less than a year’s time. The Copa America 2015 will be played in Chile, a tournament in which Dunga has had previous success. Following that comes the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. The Olympics remains the only major football tournament Brazil have not won, and their failure in 2012, in the final against Mexico, was a major factor in Mano Menezes losing his job.
According to Brazilian sports journalist Chico Lang, Marín’s decision to reinstate Dunga was not met with unanimity. The stigma of his 2010 failure still sticks, as well as his poor record in charge of Internacional last year, where a poor start to the Campeonato Brasileiro cost him his job.