By Andrew Warshaw
November 1 – Brazil’s former FIFA President João Havelange has launched a scathing attack on national team coach Mano Menezes and has called on Felipe Scolari to return to the helm.
Havelange, who ran FIFA between 1974 and 1998 but who has recently seen his name tarnished by the ISL bribery scandal, claimed Brazil would fail badly when they host the 2014 World Cup if Menezes is not replaced.
“I believe that the coach conducted an analysis, or had a tactical plan or something, but forgive this expression, he is a moron,” Havelange was quoted as saying.
Conversely, Scolari, he said, “leads his men with experience and character”.
The pressure is certainly building on Menezes, with fans joining Havelange in calling for the coach to be sacked after they were upset by Mexico in the final of the London 2012 Olympics.
The former Corinthians boss took over from Dunga after Brazil’s below-par performance at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa but has done little to restore the country’s reputation.
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