A local report came out saying that former Brazil national team coach Chichi (61. real name Adenor Leonardo Bassi), who suffered a painful loss to Korea in the round of 16 of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, was offered the position of coach of the Korean national soccer team, but turned it down.
On the 21st, the Brazilian 메이저놀이터 TNT broadcast, citing a local radio station Gaucha, said that coach Chichi received an offer to lead Korea until the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in North and Central America, but he did not accept it.
Coach Chichi is the second person to be revealed as a candidate for the Korean national team coach through foreign media. Previously, former Valencia (Spain) coach José Bordalas was mentioned by Spanish media.
Coach Chichi, who has been in charge of prestigious Brazilian clubs such as Gremio, Internacional and Corinthians, was in charge of the Brazilian national team from 2016 to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. While he was in charge, Brazil failed to pass the quarterfinals in both World Cups.
Despite poor results in the World Cup, Chichi successfully led the Brazilian national team. After losing to Argentina in the Copa America final in July 2021, they went undefeated in 17 matches (14 wins, 3 draws) before losing 0-1 to Cameroon in the third round of the Qatar World Cup group stage. While coach Chichi was in charge of the team, Brazil rose to the top of the FIFA rankings and is still holding the top spot.
Coach Chichi, who led the Brazilian national team for six and a half years, officially ended his contract with the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) on the 18th. He is currently a free body with no affiliation.
Earlier, after Brazil was eliminated after a penalty shootout against Croatia in the quarterfinals, coach Chichi announced at a press conference, “It’s a painful loss, but I’m calm,” and announced his resignation, saying, “One cycle is over.”