Brazil’s New Era Begins: Leaving Behind a ‘Lost Year’ and One of the Greatest Humiliations
After a tumultuous year filled with uncertainty and disappointment, Brazil’s national football team is ready to turn the page and enter a new era under the leadership of Dorival Jr. The journey to find a permanent manager has been a challenging one, but with Dorival Jr. at the helm, Brazil is hoping to leave behind what has been dubbed as “a lost year.”
A Year of Disarray and Humiliation
The troubles began in February 2022 when Tite announced that he would be stepping down as Brazil’s head coach after the Qatar World Cup. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) had plenty of time to find a replacement, but it proved to be a difficult task. The Selecao went through two caretaker managers – Ramon Menezes and Fernando Diniz – and even had a manager, Carlo Ancelotti, who they assumed had been hired but wasn’t.
The disorganization and arrogance of assuming any coach would jump at the opportunity to coach the Brazilian national team led to what was considered a “lost year” for Brazil. With more defeats than wins for the first time since 1963, including losses in crucial World Cup qualifiers, Brazil’s confidence hit rock bottom. Former Brazil international Walter Casagrande expressed his concerns, stating that the current Brazilian side cannot compete with top European teams.
One of the greatest humiliations in Brazil’s football history came when the CBF pursued Ancelotti as a potential coach. The CBF president, Ednaldo Rodrigues, decided to wait for Ancelotti, even though he was under contract with Real Madrid. However, Ancelotti eventually extended his contract with Real Madrid, leaving Brazil empty-handed. The whole ordeal was seen as a humiliation and raised questions about the CBF’s decision-making process.
A New Beginning
Despite the chaos and uncertainty, Brazil’s national team enters 2024 with a renewed sense of hope. Rodrigues was reinstated as CBF president and took immediate action by firing Diniz and appointing Dorival Jr. as the new head coach. Dorival Jr. has a reputation for turning around struggling teams and has achieved success in recent years, winning the Libertadores Cup and the Brazilian Cup.
The upcoming match against England at Wembley Stadium will be a significant moment for Dorival Jr. and the team as they gauge their progress and determine how far they have come. It will be an opportunity to put the difficulties of the past year behind them and showcase Brazil’s potential under new leadership.
Looking Ahead
As Brazil’s national team embarks on this new era, there is cautious optimism among fans and pundits. The challenges of the past year have been a wake-up call for the CBF, highlighting the need for better organization and decision-making. The focus now shifts to rebuilding the team’s confidence and competitiveness on the international stage.
The match against England will serve as a litmus test, revealing whether Brazil has truly moved on from their recent struggles. It will also provide insights into Dorival Jr.’s coaching style and how he plans to shape the team’s future. With his track record of success and the resilience of the Brazilian players, there is hope that this new era will mark a turning point for Brazil’s national team.
The road to redemption may be long, but Brazil’s football legacy and passionate fan base provide a foundation for success. As the Selecao takes to the field at Wembley, all eyes will be on them, eagerly awaiting signs of a brighter future for Brazilian football.