Tite resigns from Brazil after shock World Cup exit

Tite, who coached Brazil for six years dating back to 2016, resigned from the position after the Seleção lost to Croatia in the World Cup quarterfinals.

Brazil only lost on penalties to the 2018 runner-up on penalties. In fact, Tite’s squad had the lead with just five minutes to play in extra time. However, this marks Brazil’s second quarterfinal exit from the World Cup under the leadership of Tite. In 2018, Brazil lost to a strong Belgium side that would go on to finish third.

The highlight under Tite’s guise was winning the 2019 Copa America. Yet, the more memorable events are the losses in the quarterfinals to a pair of European teams. Of course, the struggles against European opposition for Brazil date back to before Tite. The loss to Croatia represents the fifth-straight loss to European opposition in the knockout stages at the World Cup.

Upon his resignation, Tite said he wanted to get one full World Cup cycle with Brazil. “It is very difficult,” Tite told reporters after the game.

“The cycle ended and I said that one and a half years ago. I needed to have the full cycle and now I have the full cycle and have followed the moments.”

Tite leaves Brazil after World Cup penalties loss to Croatia

Brazil were strong in the majority of games under Tite. Not only was the Canary Yellow side the clear favorite to win the competition, but they amassed 61 wins in 81 coaches under the leadership of Tite.

In World Cup qualifying, for instance, Brazil won 14 out of 17 games. It drew the other three games for an unbeaten record in a tough qualifying spot.

Tite did mention that he would step down after this tournament regardless of what happened with Brazil. Yet, Neymar and his teammates wanted to give Tite more games in charge.

PHOTO: IMAGO / Xinhua