Rio de Janeiro – The new coach of the Brazilian national football team, Luiz Felipe Scolari, said he is obliged to win the next FIFA World Cup, due in Brazil in 2014. Felipão was introduced this Thursday (29th) alongside the new technical coordinator Carlos Alberto Parreira.
“It has better be told to all Brazilians: we are indeed obliged to win the title, because we will be playing at home. We are not the favourite team right now, but we intend to become the favourites during the contest. We will work for it,” said Felipão at a press conference.
The coach who won the fifth world title to Brazil in 2002 said he feels rejuvenated and was candid as usual: “If we are hosting a World Cup we don’t intend to place second, third or fourth.”
Felipão explained how he will work with Parreira, who won Brazil the fourth world title in 1994. “We have a few differences in terms of field positioning and with regard to training style. We will debate and adapt to the group that will be drafted. I believe our two styles will merge together,” said Felipão.
Parreira called on fans to get involved and acknowledged the importance of returning to the team. “It is up to us – from the technical commission to the players – to get the fans involved. The Brazilian team does that well. That flame, that adrenalin is a great thing. This is a wonderful challenge. Returning to the national team here in Brazil, playing a World Cup, no one knows what that is until they’ve gone through it.”
The president of the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF), José Maria Marin, explained why he picked Felipão and Parreira and ruled out the possibility of calling in a foreign coach, contrary to speculations. “[Brazil’s] five world titles were won thanks to Brazilian coaches, who have taken their knowledge across our borders. We have coaches who are very dedicated and worthy of occupying the position.”
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
