Brazil's new coach sets 2018 World Cup qualification as top priority

Brazil’s new coach, Tite has set a target of qualifying the country to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

This will without a doubt be the yardstick for measuring his success in his new role as Brazil is currently outside the qualification spot for Russia 2018.

Tite who was unveiled on Monday replaces Dunga who was fired last week after Brazil was knocked out of the Copa America tournament.

In spite of the country’s poor showing so far, Tite is confident Brazil can make it to the tournament.

“The focus is on qualifying for the World Cup, and we are not in the qualification zone. We can make it, and our work will be based on that, I believe we will make it, but we are running a real risk” he said at the news conference to introduce him.

Brazil are currently outside the qualification spots for Russia and Tite was hired to ensure they do not miss out on the 2018 soccer fiesta.

The 5-time World Cup champions have never won an Olympic medal in soccer.

Could the situation change with Tite who led Brazilian club Corinthians to two Serie A titles?

“The Olympics – it would have been very easy for me when we were speaking to have said let’s train and if we win we will take home a gold medal, laurels all round, but if not, I already have my excuse ready – I came into the job at the last minute. I do not do that.”

55-year-old Tite whose real name is Adenor Leonardo Bacchi also led Corinthians to win the Copa Libertadores in 2012 after the Serie A win in 2011 and 2015.

Brazil have an enviable record of having qualified for every World Cup since the tournament began in 1930.

But with a third of the qualifiers campaign over, Brazil currently sits sixth in the South American qualifying group for the 2018 World Cup, one spot outside the qualifying spot.

The top four teams qualify automatically for the World Cup while the fifth-placed side enter an inter-continental playoff – something Brazil is trying to avoid.