info_1362406417Despite failing to prevent Palmeiras from getting relegated to Brazil’s second division in 2012, when he was the team’s manager, Scolari was hired as Brazil’s manager last year and has succeeded in improving the team and in reaching a level of tactical consistency that Mano Menezes failed to achieve.

Scolari is well respected as a manager and his work has been widely praised although he is also considered an outdated and paternalistic manager, but having won the World Cup title in 2002, he is generally trusted.

The views regarding the World Cup are thus mixed, with people confident about Brazil’s World Cup chances but pessimistic about the country’s ability to host the competition properly.

Rafael’s status at the national team was affected by his mistake in the Olympic final and injuries did not help him recover his place. As other options failed to impress as well, Scolari decided to rely on Daniel Alves and Maicon, both of which are among the most experienced players in the squad.

The Manchester United right-back is generally respected in Brazil but he is not well-known as he left the country too early, before he could make his name among Brazilian fans. That also explains why there was almost no pressure in Brazil to have him called up.

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To read this article in full in the RoM World Cup preview. 20 articles by football experts on the countries our players are representing this summer.