Brazil coach Tite to step down after World Cup in Qatar

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This article was published 25/02/2022 (1667 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil coach Tite will step down after the World Cup in Qatar in December.

“I am very aware of my presence. It goes until the end of the World Cup,” Tite said on Friday in an interview with SporTV channel.

“This is not the moment to talk about it, but I don’t want to hide as well.”

He’s been in charge since 2016.

The 60-year-old Tite didn’t disclose what he will do after the World Cup. Brazil has already secured its spot in Qatar with two rounds left in South American qualifiers.

Brazil traditionally doesn’t extend the contracts of its coaches beyond a World Cup, even when they win it. Tite had that rare benefit in 2018, despite Brazil’s elimination in Russia, because he’d been working with the national team for less than two years.

Tite did not rule out coaching Brazil in the future, but said he was clear about what will happen at the end of the year, no matter whether he wins the Selecao’s sixth trophy.

“I am aware of my cycle. This cycle goes until the end of the World Cup,” he insisted.

Tite won the 2019 Copa America and made the team the dominant force in South American World Cup qualifiers for the 2018 and 2022 editions. His Brazil has 51 wins, 13 draws and five losses.

But two of those defeats have highlighted Tite’s tenure.

The first was 2-1 to Belgium in the quarterfinals of the last World Cup. The second was 1-0 to Argentina in the final of the 2021 Copa America.

Tite said he wants fans to be charmed by Brazil in Qatar.

“I don’t want just to win this in any way we can,” he said.

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