Brazil boss Tite says that he had second thoughts about becoming the new boss of the national team.
After successive disappointments at the World Cup 2014 and the Copa America 2016, the national team was looking at a third manager in less than two years. Both the previous managers, though, were known to the nation from their spell previously and the decision this time was to give a new man the chance. Former Corinthians manager Tite has been a name mentioned as a potential national team boss even when Scolari was appointed a couple of years ago.
His ability to beat European Champions Chelsea in the final of the Club World Cup in Japan was a major factor in the stock of the 55-year-old raising considerably. He was in charge of Corinthians in two spells and was more successful in the first. Still, the decision was taken to appoint the manager. Tite, though, had his reservations since he had seen two extremely successful national team bosses – Scolari and Dunga – fail to bring glory days back to Brazil. The current crop of Brazilian talent was far away from success it seemed. However, Tite has taken over and Brazil have had a strong start to the World Cup 2018 campaign with two wins from the opening matches.
“It was so hard I had no conviction after the initial conversation. I had doubts because of the work and the people inside Corinthians, for whom I have respect and admiration. The moment post-World Cup was very difficult. The moment Dunga took charge was a time of a very difficult transition [of the national team]. I created this expectation [to be chosen], I was frustrated, but for a short time. After that, I did not imagine being invited,” said the manager about the events leading to his appointment.