Tite has left his role as manager of Brazil after their shock exit from the World Cup at the hands of Croatia, but he goes with fierce criticism ringing in his ears.
Brazil were the favourites to lift the World Cup going into Qatar and had looked pretty good on their way to the quarter-finals, although that is where their journey ended.
Their clash with Croatia finished goalless after 90 minutes, but it looked like they were going to progress when Neymar scored shortly before half-time in extra-time.
However, they couldn’t keep a clean sheet, Croatia equalised, taking the game to penalties where two failures from 12 yards cost the Brazilians.
Rodrygo saw his effort saved and Marquinhos hit the post, while Neymar didn’t even take a spot-kick, seemingly being saved for later but his turn never arrived.
Neto, who earned 16 caps for Brazil from 1988-93 and is now a sports broadcaster in his home country, was furious with Tite after the match, slamming his decision not to put Neymar up earlier.
‘It’s Tite’s fault,’ Neto said on his show Band, via ESPN. ‘Neymar failed to take the penalty! The greatest penalty taker in the world, you shameless man.
‘You don’t deserve to be there, you should let Neymar take the penalty now. You idiot, you end up with a country, a suffering country, where people pay R$300 for a shirt.
‘You don’t think about the people, the people on the street, you idiot. You lost the World Cup. It was just thinking: first penalty, let Neymar. on the last penalty, the guys scored four, he puts Marquinhos on. No! Let Neymar, score the goal, you imbecile.’
Neto then went further than just that one decision, labelling Tite the worst ever manager of Brazil, as his six-year reign comes to an end with just the Copa America as a major title to his name.
‘You are the worst coach in the history of the country, of the Brazilian national team, a disgrace as a coach,’ he said. ‘I will not attack a player. You do not reach the feet of Parreira, Zagallo, Felipão, Telê. You are the greatest shame in the country, Tite.’
The outgoing manager explained why Neymar was saved for last, saying: ‘He is the fifth and decisive penalty. The player who has more quality and mentality to make the charge is under greater pressure.’
On his departure, he simply said: ‘A painful defeat, but at peace with myself. End of cycle.’
MORE : Croatia beat Brazil on penalties to reach 2022 World Cup semi-finals
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