England v Brazil: South Americans to start new era after 'great humiliation'

[CharlieH]

 

It was late February 2022 when Tite revealed he would be stepping down as Brazil head coach at the end of the Qatar World Cup.

That, in theory, gave the Brazilian FA (CBF) plenty of time to work on his replacement. As it turned out, though, it wasn't enough.

 

Since then, the Selecao have had two caretaker managers - Ramon Menezes and Fernando Diniz - and another manager they assumed had been hired and publicly announced it but wasn't - Carlo Ancelotti.

Only now, when they take on England this Saturday at Wembley, will Brazil finally have in Dorival Jr a permanent manager in charge, putting an end to what was largely perceived back home as "a lost year".

"That was the result of much disorganisation and also some arrogance to believe that any coach would just come running [to take the job] because it's the Brazilian national team," former Brazil international Walter Casagrande, now a popular football pundit, told BBC Sport.

In 2023, the Selecao finished a year with more defeats than wins for the first time since 1963 - in total, they lost five times, drew once and won just three times in nine games, breaking several negative records along the way, including losing a home World Cup qualifier - versus Argentina - and three consecutive qualifiers - versus Colombia, Uruguay and Argentina - for the first time.

In six qualifying matches, they have conceded more goals (seven) than in the entire previous campaign (five in 17 games).

Overall, the Brazilians managed to beat only Guinea, Bolivia and Peru, so it's no surprise the team's confidence before the game with England is at its lowest level since the 7-1 thrashing by Germany in 2014.

With a new era starting in London, the five-time world champions will be hoping to move on from arguably one of their worst years in recent history.

 

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