Brazil stars want World Cup triumph for ‘Father’ Tite farewell
NO matter the outcome for Brazil at Qatar 2022, coach Tite will leave the post he has occupied since September 2016 when the tournament finishes. The hope for both Tite and his players is that they have seven matches left together; specifically that they reach the final in Lusail Stadium on 18 December.
Brazil begin their campaign at the final venue, against Serbia, on Thursday and have subsequent Group G encounters with Cameroon and Switzerland.
Born Adenor Leonardo Bacchi, the 61-year-old Tite kicked off his impressive Seleção tenure with a 3-0 defeat of Ecuador in Quito in the qualifiers for Russia 2018. That was the first of the 57 wins the South Americans have recorded in his 76 games in charge. Title has lost only five matches during his six-year tenure.
That record reveals exactly why Tite has been entrusted to oversee successive World Cup campaigns, the first
Brazil coach to have that honour since
Mario Zagallo tried to defend the title won in Mexico in 1970 at the German tournament four years later.
So what is the secret to Tite’s success? The simple answer to that is an inherent desire to keep pushing his team for improvement, regardless of their impressive results. The pace at which Tite’s team plays is essential to that sustained development.
Tite’s Selecao like to stretch the play and probe down the flanks, giving influential attacker Neymar more space in which to roam in the middle of the pitch. Equally, the Brazilians are effective in the press, making the most of their speed and agility to harry and close opposing players, as soon as possession is conceded. The team works as one to shut down space and prevent the opposition from playing the ball forwards. They boast a rich blend of talent and a system that maximises the team’s breadth of attributes.
While these factors were instrumental to their serene qualification, another crucial ingredient in this successful side is the human touch provided by the man the players call The Professor, a common nickname for coaches in Brazil.
Raphinha, while speaking og Tite, said: “First of all, I want to thank him for being the first coach to give me a chance with the national team and for bringing me here to Qatar. I wouldn’t be here without him. He’s become very important for me, not just for what he passes on to me whenever I’m with A Seleção, but for what I can take away with me to my club. He’s given me a lot of confidence and the tools I need to keep those confidence levels as high as possible.”
Tite’s like a father to us. He’s always treated us well and has created a warm and welcoming environment with the national team. He’s one of those people who gives you praise… but who’s not afraid to give you some home truths.
Richarlison