Dunga returns as coach of Brazil

Carlos Dunga has been appointed by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) to replace Luiz Felipe Scolari, whose contract was not renewed after the hosts’ World Cup semi-final and third-place thrashings by Germany and Holland respectively.

Dunga, Brazil’s 1994 World-Cup winning captain is back as coach after being in charge of the Selecao between 2006 and 2010.

“I am immensely happy — thank you for your confidence in me,” Dunga told the CBF website.

“The fans are very down right now but they are right behind the team. I am not here to sell a dream; we must get down to work.”

Dunga, who in his playing days was a tough-tackling midfielder with Serie A side Fiorentina and Germany’s Stuttgart, was decried by some for his no-nonsense style, but his 91 caps showed the esteem in which he was held and that respect has endearured CBF president, Jose Maria Marin, said.

“He was world champion, captain of a world-champion side,” Marin said.

“He has what it takes to lead the Brazil team. The numbers show he absolutely has the ability to take charge.”

The former Jubilo Iwata of Japan player was fired after a quarter-final loss to Holland in South Africa four years ago, but previously landed both the Copa America title and the Confederations Cup after replacing Carlos Alberto Parreira as coach in 2006 despite having no coaching experience.

Brazil suffered one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history after they lost 7-1 to eventual champions Germany in the semi-final.