RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil’s football confederation has finally convinced Tite to take over the national team ahead of the “must-win” Olympic Games football tournament in August.
The Corinthians coach was invited to Rio earlier this week for discussions after Dunga was fired following Brazil’s disappointing group stage exit from the Copa America Centenario in the United States at the weekend.
Tite – full name Adenor Leonardo Bacchi – flew to Rio from Sao Paulo on Tuesday even though he has been highly critical in the past of Marco Polo Del Nero, the CBF president. Del Nero is being sought by the United States Justice Department over corruption allegations but, as a Brazilian citizen, cannot be extradited.
The CBF subsequently announced, after a 24-hours delay, that Tite had accepted the job despite the opposition of Corinthians.
Brazil’s fans expect their team to win Olympic gold for the first time in Rio. The Olympic tournament is for under-23 players plus a possible three over-age players. Barcelona have agreed to release Neymar for the Games though it is not a formal event in terms of the world football calendar.
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