Luiz Felipe Scolari unveiled as new Brazil сoach

Brazil unveiled 64 year-old Luiz Felipe Scolari as their new coach as they decided that his international experience would be a valuable asset to the team. Before taking charge of Brazil Felipão rejected bids from Gremio, Cruzeiro, Sporting Lisbon and Qatar Football Association. Taking into account his past international achievements Brazilian Football Confederation believe that he will lead the national team to the World Cup 2014 triumph.

Scolari was in charge of Brazil between 2001 and 2002 and the national team has claimed the World Cup 2002 title under his guidance. Seleção have not repeated that success since then, suffering quarter-final exit in two consecutive World Cup tournaments.

Pep Guardiola has also been considered as the likely contender for the role however his candidacy was rejected due to the lack of relevant experience.

Brazil sacked Mano Menezes as their coach on November 23, shortly after the national team defeated Argentina 4-3 on penalties to win the second consecutive Superclassic of the Americas title. This result can be touted as the rare bright spot in Menezes’ far and by unremarkable reign period. Brazil were eliminated from the Copa América quarterfinals by Paraguay and suffered the eyebrow-raising 1-2 defeat against the USA in the Olympics final.

Also Menezes has equaled Maradona record having called up 102 players in the national team. Although the majority of the hugely talented yet sometimes underrated players (such as Tardelli André, David Luiz) undoubtedly deserved their first international cap, such a selection policy had a negative impact on the building of the mutual understanding between the players.

In fact Scolari’s appointment is quite a controversial move. Although sport websites polls show that the majority of Brazilians are happy with his appointment, one can hardly dispel the thoughts, that this is a populist measure. It is to be recalled that Felipão’s Palmeiras have been recently relegated from the The Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. Although he resigned with 13 matches to go, he is fully responsible for turning the resilient team into the Série B dweller. One can certainly argue that it is difficult for the 64 year-old coach to withstand the pressure and the rhythm of the club career. But back in 2001 he was appointed as Brazil coach thanks to his successful spell with the same Palmeiras. How about a little consistency?

Also you cannot step into the same river twice - Carlos Alberto Parreira’s team was eliminated in the quarter-final in 2006, Zagallo’s team managed to reach the final in 1998 but suffered defeat against France, Telê Santana’s return in 1986 has also been unsuccessful. That is why at the moment Scolari faces really difficult challenge – with two years to go he should build new Brazil team. His talented forerunners failed to do this not least of all due to the burden of high expectations.