RIO DE JANEIRO – Brazil coach Dunga and all of his technical staff have been dismissed after the side’s quarter-final exit from the World Cup, the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) announced yesterday.The decision was widely expected after Brazil were beaten 2-1 by the Netherlands in the quarter-finals on Friday. The team took a 1-0 lead through Robinho in the first half, but went on to concede two goals and had a man sent off in a dismal second-half performance in Port Elizabeth.“With the closing of the work cycle that started in August 2006 and ended with the elimination of Brazil from the World Cup in South Africa, the CBF announces the dismissal of the technical Commission of the Brazilian team,” the federation said in a statement.It added that a new coach would be appointed before the end of the month.Local media tipped former Brazil player and AC Milan coach Leonardo, Mano Menezes, and Wanderley Luxemburgo as potential successors to Dunga.Luiz Felipe Scolari, who coached Brazil to their fifth World Cup title in 2002, had previously been tipped for a return but has since said he was not available due to his commitments with Brazilian club Palmeiras.“It would be wonderful to finish my career coaching a national team in the World Cup in Brazil,” Scolari told Brazil’s Radio Eldorado in South Africa, where he is working as a commentator for a local TV network. “But I won’t be able to accept any offers until after 2012. My focus is with Palmeiras. After my contract is over we will see if there is any national team interested for the qualifiers and the World Cup.”Whoever is chosen by Brazil, the new coach and his staff are likely to face a couple of friendly matches in the next few months and then the South American championship – the Copa America – in 2011 in Argentina.Dunga returned to Brazil with the team early yesterday and was met with applause and cheering by fans in his native Porto Alegre in southern Brazil.The team’s chartered plane landed first in Rio de Janeiro, where players including goalkeeper Julio Cesar and defender Juan were warmly applauded. Julio Cesar was seen crying as he embraced his mother.Felipe Melo appeared nervous as some fans shouted insults at him and told him “go home”. He walked quickly to his father’s vehicle and left the airport. The midfielder was partially at fault for one goal and was later sent off.Brazil will host the World Cup in 2014 for the first time since 1950. (AP)
