Tite to step down amid criticism following Brazil’s defeat to Croatia

09-Dec-2022 20:48:30 | The Guardian

Head coach has confirmed he will leave after six years in charge of the Seleção following World Cup quarter-final exit on penalties

Tite has confirmed that he will step down as Brazil coach after six years in charge. The 61-year-old had always maintained that he would leave after completing a full World Cup cycle, and so his reign will end with the 4-2 defeat on penalties to Croatia in the World Cup quarter-finals.

“The cycle has ended, and I keep to my word,” he said. “There are other great professionals that can replace me.” But in a sober and largely emotionless press conference, Tite left with a defence of his team’s record, not just against Croatia but in the tournament as a whole. “When their goalkeeper is the best player on the field, the game is talking to you,” he said in reference to Croatia’s Dominik Livakovic. “We had to be more effective in making goals. But did Brazil show their best? Overall, yes.