Sports / Soccer

Dunga returns for second stint as Brazil coach

(Agencies) Updated: 2014-07-23 10:33

Dunga returns for second stint as Brazil coach

Brazil's new manager Dunga (L) talks with Brazilian Soccer Confederation (CBF) president Jose Maria Marin during a news conference in Rio de Janeiro July 22, 2014. Brazil named Dunga, whose full name is Carlos Caetano Bledorn Verri, as their manager for the second time on Tuesday, two weeks after they were hammered 7-1 by Germany in the World Cup semifinals which led to the resignation of former coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. [Photo/Agencies]

Dunga came to the job for the first time in 2006 with no management experience. He was criticized for the team's physical style of play and conservative tactics and spent time Tuesday suggesting he might be different this time.

He said his focus was already on the next World Cup. Brazil will also play next year in the Copa America - the South American championship - and in a special Copa America edition in 2016 played in the United States.

"My first time as coach, I was asked to rescue the team's value and get results," he said. "This second time around, the focus is on preparing the side for the 2018 World Cup."

Dunga's real name is Carlos Caetano Bledorn Verri. His nickname Dunga literally means "Dopey" in Portuguese - the same as one of the characters in Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - and was given to him during childhood because of his small stature.

He was the captain of Brazil's 1994 World Cup-winning team, and coached the national team at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. He was dismissed after Brazil lost 2-1 in the quarterfinals to the Netherlands.

"He has shown his capacity to lead the Brazil team, not only in words but also in numbers, that he has all the requisites and the capacity to lead the Brazil team again," confederation president Jose Maria Marin said. "It was a decision made with the participation of everyone here at this table in a show of unity and total integration aimed at great conquests in the future."

Dunga's returned was linked to the naming of Gilmar Rinaldi as the new technical director, replacing Carlos Alberto Parreira. Rinaldi, who sat next to Dunga on Tuesday, was a goalkeeper on the `94 team and has recently worked as a player agent.

Dunga was in charge of 60 matches as national team coach in his first stint. Brazil won 42, drew 12 and lost six.

Brazil's image took a battering in the 7-1 loss to Germany. Many said it was worse than Brazil's 2-1 loss to Uruguay in the final game of the 1950 World Cup, which was played at the Maracana Stadium in Rio.

The loss against Germany broke several records and was one of the worst in Brazil's history. The loss was also the first in a competitive match at home since 1975.

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