The humiliating unravelling of Brazil at the World Cup—first in the devastating 7-1 semi-final annihilation by Germany and then in the dispiriting loss to the Netherlands—sent shockwaves through the nation. It became painfully clear that the Seleção needed to return to the drawing board. Amid the wreckage of shattered dreams, there emerged a rare consensus: sweeping changes were imperative.
Such was
the magnitude of Brazil's humiliation that unprecedented ideas began
circulating, including the possibility of appointing a foreign manager—a
heretical thought in the 100-year history of the Brazilian national team. The
consensus was simple: a new dawn required bold and fresh leadership.
And yet,
the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confounded logic by delving into its
past, reappointing Dunga—a decision that left fans and pundits alike scratching
their heads in disbelief. Dunga’s return marked not only the 54th managerial
change since the Seleção’s inception but also the 12th instance of a former coach
being reinstalled. The 1994 World Cup-winning captain was now tasked with
resurrecting Brazil’s shattered footballing ethos, a tall order for a man whose
previous stint ended in disgrace.
It is worth
examining the puzzling logic behind Dunga’s appointment. Following his first
term as Brazil manager, Dunga’s coaching career hardly flourished. After a
two-year hiatus, he managed SC Internacional—his old stomping ground as a
player—in a stint that lasted less than a year. His most notable opportunity
since then was a financially lucrative but ultimately unfulfilled offer to
coach Venezuela.
To his
credit, Dunga’s initial tenure with Brazil was not a complete disaster. With 42
wins and only 12 draws in 60 matches, he delivered tangible successes: the 2007
Copa América and the 2009 Confederations Cup titles, along with Brazil’s
dominance in South American qualifiers. Memorable victories over Argentina and
Italy bolstered his resume. Even Brazil’s 2-1 loss to the Netherlands in the
2010 World Cup quarter-finals seemed less tragic when considering their
scintillating first-half performance.
Yet,
Dunga’s pragmatic, workmanlike style of football was a far cry from the jogo
bonito that had once defined Brazilian greatness. His insistence on defensive
rigidity and his inability to adapt during critical moments tarnished his
legacy. Worse still, his combative demeanour created a siege mentality that
alienated fans, players, and media alike.
In 2010,
Dunga famously left Neymar—a burgeoning superstar at the time—out of the World
Cup squad, a decision emblematic of his conservative approach. His feud with
Globo TV, the powerful Brazilian media conglomerate, escalated tensions,
casting a shadow over his team. Even revered figures like Kaká struggled under
the pressure, while Dunga’s reliance on players like Felipe Melo—whose rashness
mirrored the coach’s own combative style—led to costly errors.
Given this
turbulent history, the decision to reinstate Dunga raises troubling questions
about the CBF’s vision for Brazil’s future. After the embarrassment of 2014,
many had hoped for a revolution in Brazilian football, akin to Germany’s
overhaul under Jürgen Klinsmann and Joachim Löw. Instead, Brazil seemed to have
settled for a familiar face, despite Dunga’s inability to leave a meaningful legacy
during his first tenure.
This
decision reflects a deeper malaise within Brazilian football, where the
instinct to cling to the past often overshadows the need for innovation. With
the weight of national expectation once again on his shoulders, Dunga must
achieve what many consider improbable: to rejuvenate a broken team and restore
Brazil’s stature in the footballing world.
Whether he succeeds or falters, one thing is certain: this is a gamble that Brazil, bruised and battered, played blindly.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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