Can Tite Lead Brazil to World Cup Triumph as Parting Gift?

28/02/22 1054

On the 14th of June 2016, Dunga was sacked as manager of Brazil and the Seleção wasted no time in replacing the former midfielder. Tite was announced as the new manager just six days after the sacking of Dunga.

Tite has previously tasted success as the manager of Corinthians in Brazil, winning the 2015 Brazilian championship and 2012 Club World Cup.

The first task for Tite was to guide Brazil to the 2018 World Cup in Russia and he did so in style, making them the first nation to qualify for the competition.

Brazil were eliminated from the 2018 World Cup at the quarter-final stage, losing to Belgium 2-1. It was a disappointing exit for Brazil, who, as always, were optimistic of going all the way in the tournament.

Nonetheless, Tite continued as manager into the 2019 Copa América, which was held in Brazil. While having an advantage by playing at home, there was incredible pressure on the Brazilian team to succeed in-front of their own fans.

The loss of Neymar due to injury in a friendly match ahead of the tournament did not help the preparation of Tite and the team. However, Tite guided Brazil to their first Copa América title since 2007, defeating Argentina 2-0 in the semi-final as they lifted the trophy.

Tite took Brazil to their second Copa América final in succession in 2021 but this time it was not to be as Argentina took revenge for their semi-final defeat two years earlier. Tite remained as the manager of Brazil and they have since enjoyed a strong 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Much like 2018, Brazil were one of the first nations to qualify for the tournament in Qatar and have enjoyed an unbeaten record to date in one of the most demanding World Cup qualifying schedules.

With only two rounds of fixtures remaining, Brazil sit top of the group, 4 points clear of second place Argentina and a massive 14 points clear of third place Ecuador.

The question is, can Tite guide Brazil to their first World Cup triumph since 2002? They certainly have the talent to go all the way in Qatar.

Tite has two of the world’s best goalkeepers at his disposal, the likes of Marquinhos and Thiago Silva at the back, Fabinho and Casemiro in central midfield, plus Vinícius Júnior, Neymar, and Richarlison in attack.

The quality available is what most coaches dream of at international level and Brazil will certainly enter the tournament as one of the favourites.

Having guided Brazil to two successive Copa América finals, Tite knows what it takes to succeed with the national team. The question marks will come when facing strong European opposition in a knock-out match.

Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, and England will be entering the 2022 World Cup believing they can win the tournament.

Facing more than one of these nations in succession in the knockout stages would be tough but is something Tite is likely to have to overcome if Brazil are to win the World Cup before he leaves the job.