Tite resigns as Brazil coach after elimination from the FIFA World Cup 2022 by Croatia

Tite resigns from his post after his team lost 4-2 in the penalties against Croatia in the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup 2022. Neymar Jr. opened the scoring in the 105th minute before Bruno Petkovic equalized in the 117th minute to take the game to penalties.

Brazil thrashed South Korea 4-1 in the Round of 16 to enter the quarterfinals on the other hand Croatia had a tough match against Japan where they eased past them in the penalties. 

The 61-year-old took over Selecao in 2016 and won Copa America in 2019. However, Brazil lost in the quarterfinal stages in successive World Cups including the 2018 edition where it lost to Belgium.

Under his leadership, Brazil played a total of 81 matches, out of which they won 60 matches and lost just six matches. The total of 172 goals were scored under his reign. 

Our players are great fighters: Zlatko Dalic

“The cycle has ended, and I keep to my word,” said Tite quoted in The Guardian. “There are other great professionals that can replace me.” “When their goalkeeper is the best player on the field, the game is talking to you,” he said in reference to Croatia’s Dominik Livakovic.

“I understand that I am the most responsible, but we are all responsible for the loss. It’s not about being a hero or a villain. There is no such thing in sports. Sometimes we have a great performance, we shoot at goal, and the ball deviates. That’s normal. But I can respect the result,” he added.

“The fifth penalty is the decisive one. There is more pressure and players who are mentally prepared are best to take it. Time will answer that,” he replied when asked how his tenure should be judged.

The Crotia coach Zlatko Dalic paid tribute to his country’s one of the greates victories after a miraculous comeback to reach their second straight World Cup semi-final. “We are a small country,” he said. “Our players are great fighters. Our honesty, hard work and professionalism reflects on us. People are surprised by our ability to do such a phenomenal thing. But we expected it.”