If anybody has to be put responsible for Brazil’s early exit from the Copa America 2024 the manager/head coach’s name would come first.
And despite being in the job for less than six months, Dorival Junior took full responsibility for the quarter-exit.
The Selecao not being able to penetrate 10-man Uruguay and substituting the key players off when the game was heading to the tiebreaker saw blame poured on Dorival’s shoulders.
His absence in the pre-shootout huddle further added fuel to the flame.
It was Brazil’s worst Copa campaign in five years after becoming champions (2019) and runners-up (2021) in the last two.
Since Tite left the role in December, 2022, there was a long search for a replacement who could help Brazil relive their former glories but the post was left figuratively empty, only to be filled by caretaker for almost a year.
Brazil suffered some shocking defeats during the absence of a genuine head coach.
It started against Morocco (1-2) in March, 2023, followed by a surprising 4-2 loss to Senegal.
The team perhaps never looked so clueless against African countries in the past.
The five-time World Cup winners also lost to regional rivals Uruguay, Colombia and Argentina in consecutive matches just before the 62-year old Dorival stepped in as head coach.
They looked better under Dorival.
His seven-match unbeaten run since January ended with the shootout loss to Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay against whom Dorival-less Brazil conceded 2-0 away defeat less than a year ago.
Neymar has been injured for a while, the midfield did not perform upto expectations and key forward Vincius Junior was suspended for the last-eight clash; Dorival cited these as crucial factors but saw enough fight in his charges that indicated a brighter future.
"I do have to acknowledge that these weren't the expected results, and I take full responsibility for them, but I do think as well that this team has great room to grow and evolve and improve," Dorival was quoted as saying by ESPN.
"This is a process; in general, you come across difficulties when you're creating a team.
"Many of them joined us after long seasons. Considering what we saw at the training sessions and every day, I think we can still grow as a team...many people might not understand, things are like this when you're creating a team from scratch. There are ups and downs in football."
The Brazil boss’ main objective now is to qualify for the World Cup.
Youngster Endrick on his debut start for the Selecao showed glimpses of his immense potential which could be Dorival’s new weapon in the days ahead.