Corinthians president Roberto de Andrade has announced Tite has agreed to succeed Dunga as Brazil national team manager, but the Brazilian federation says no accord has been struck with any coach.
Dunga and national team coordinator Gilmar Rinaldi were relieved of their duties on Tuesday in the wake of a disappointing Copa America Centenario campaign. Brazil crashed out at the group stage after a controversial 1-0 loss to Peru in their final match.
The 55-year-old Tite, who Andrade says will not coach Brazil’s Olympics squad this summer, led Corinthians to two Brazilian league titles, a Copa Libertadores and a Club World Cup triumph in his two spells in charge of the Sao Paulo giants, and had been expected by many to assume the Selecao reins in Dunga’s place.
According to Andrade, Tite will be joined by his son as well as longtime Arsenal midfielder Edu Gaspar, who is the director of football at Corinthians.
“Tite will no longer work with Corinthians, he accepted the CBF’s offer,” Andrade said in a news conference. “Also leaving with him is his son, Matheus, and Edu Gaspar.
“I was the first person he told of the decision. Until two hours ago I thought that he wouldn’t go, I was surprised.”
Hours later, the Brazilian federation denied Andrade’s claims in a statement posted on their website, saying they have not maintained any contact with any manager seen as a possible successor to Dunga, and they will begin formal arrangements for contracting a new coach on Thursday.
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