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Doha (AFP) – Tite confirmed it was “the end of an era” for him as Brazil national team manager, following the samba dancers’ painful penalty shootout against Croatia in Friday’s World Cup quarter-final in Qatar.
The 61-year-old coach, who has been in charge with the “Seleção” since 2016, has made no secret of his intention to leave office after the World Cup in Qatar, regardless of the outcome.
“It’s a painful defeat, but I’m leaving in peace. It’s the end of an era,” he told reporters, after Brazil lost at the Education City Stadium in Doha to the 2018 World Cup runners-up at the penalties, 4 -2 (1-1 in regular time and overtime).
“I already said it a year and a half ago. I didn’t come here to win and then turn around and say I’m staying. Anyone who knows me knows it.”
After 90 minutes without a goal, Brazil advanced through Neymar at the end of the first half of extra time, only for Bruno Petkovic to equalize for Croatia in the 117th minute.
The Croatian international scored four consecutive shots, to reach the semi-finals, after Marquinhos’ shot was saved from the post.
This is the second time Tite has been knocked out of the World Cup, having previously failed 1-2 against Belgium in the quarter-finals four years ago.
On the other hand, not living up to the hopes of Brazilian fans and the dream of winning a sixth star at the World Cup, the “samba dancers” won the Copa America in their home country in 2019, before losing last year’s final as masters of also home to historic opponent Argentina and its star Messi, 0-1.
The Brazilian Football Confederation had previously said it would not reveal the identity of its next manager until January.
Asked to evaluate his tenure at the helm of the national team, he said: “Over time I will be able to answer better. I am not able to evaluate all the work we have done now, but with time you will be able to make this evaluation. “
“I don’t have the power to do it now that we’re out,” he added.
When asked why it hadn’t been decided that Neymar would take the fourth penalty kick in Marquinhos’ place when Brazil needed to score to keep their hopes alive, Tite replied: “Because he should have taken the decisive fifth kick.”
“The player with the most qualities and the best mental state advances when there is more pressure.”
Neymar didn’t get a chance to take a penalty after equaling Pelé’s record with his 77th goal for his country when he opened the scoring in extra time.
This is the second time Brazil have lost on penalties at the World Cup, after falling to France in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.
“When you lead 1-0 after extra time and then concede the equalizer 13 minutes into the second period of extra time, it’s difficult,” said Tite of his team’s mental state as they took penalties.
“It’s hard to stay mentally strong in a situation like this,” he concluded.
© 2022 AFP
