Brazil head coach Tite has confirmed that he has left his role following their World Cup 2022 quarter-final exit against Croatia on Friday.
The five-time world champions – regarded by many as favourites to go all the way in Qatar – have crashed out at the quarter-final stage for the second successive World Cup after losing 4-2 on penalties against Croatia following a 1-1 draw in 120 minutes.
After both sides played out a goalless stalemate in 90 minutes, Neymar opened the scoring midway through extra time, but the Selecao could not hold onto their slender lead as Bruno Petkovic netted a 117th-minute equaliser to send the contest to penalties.
Rodrygo and Marquinhos both missed their efforts from 12 yards, while Croatia scored all four of their spot kicks to book their place in the last four and send the world's number-one ranked nation packing.
Before making the trip to Qatar, Tite announced that he would step down from his role as manager regardless of how Brazil performed at the World Cup, and he has now confirmed his decision to depart after six years in the hotseat.
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Speaking at a post-match press conference shortly after the defeat to Croatia, Tite said: "My cycle is over. I said it over a year and a half ago and I keep to my word.
"We shouldn't make a drama out of it as I said this one and half years ago. There are other great professionals that can replace me. There could be elements to analyse but the cycle is over."
Asked about how he would summarise his legacy as Brazil boss, the 61-year-old replied: "Time may answer better. The pain, however human, coherent, conscious I may have, the emotion is touched on.
"I am not in a position to evaluate all the work carried out. Over time you will make this assessment. I don't have that ability now after an elimination."
Tite replaced Dunga as Brazil head coach in the summer of 2016 and he went on to win 61 of his 81 matches in charge across all competitions.
The former Corinthians boss won the 2019 Copa America title during his reign before losing 1-0 in the final two years later to South America rivals Argentina.
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Brazil breezed through World Cup qualifying to book their place in Qatar, winning 14 and drawing three of their 17 COMNEBOL matches, but as they did in 2018, the Selecao have failed to progress to the semi-finals on the biggest international stage, and their 20-year wait to become world champions for a record-extending sixth time goes on.
Captain Thiago Silva, who has to console a number of his teammates at full time, has expressed his sadness after losing to Croatia, but he has urged Brazil to "move on" from their disappointing exit.
"It's difficult, but as much as it's sad, life needs to move on, lift your head," the 38-year-old Chelsea defender told reporters. "I'm very proud of the boys for what we did, but unfortunately it's part of football.
"I've gone through some disappointments in my life, not only in the national team, but in my personal life as well," Silva added. "When we lose something important that you have as a goal, it hurts like that, it hurts a lot, but it's trying to lift your head and keep going.
"There's no other alternative. I'm a guy that every time I fell I got up, it won't be this time I'm staying here. Unfortunately, as a player I won't be able to lift this cup. Who knows later with another role."
While Brazil's World Cup dream is over, Croatia will face Argentina in the semi-finals.
Oliver Thomas
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