Brazil Boots Coach After World Cup Loss

Dunga takes blame for 2-1 defeat at hands of Dutch

Losing to the Dutch in the World Cup got Brazilian national soccer coach Carlos Dunga booted.

The coach and his entire staff were fired Sunday, two days after Brazil was beaten 2-1 by the Netherlands in the World Cup quarterfinals. The announcement was made by the Brazilian Football Federation, but was expected after the team lost. Brazil led 1-0 on Robinho's first-half goal, but allowed two goals in a dismal second-half performance.

"With the closing of the work cycle that started in August 2006 and ended with the elimination of Brazil from the World Cup in South Africa, the CBF announces the dismissal of the Technical Commission of the Brazilian team," the federation said in a statement.

Dunga's successor could be announced y the end of the month and candidtes include former star Mano Menezes, AC Milan coach Leonardo and Wanderley Luxemburgo. Luiz Felipe Scolari, who coached Brazil to its fifth World Cup title in 2002, had been mentioned as a successor, but he has signed a two-year deal to be with the Brazilian club Palmeiras.

Dunga returned from South Africa to Brazil with the team early Sunday and was cheered by by fans in his native Porto Alegre in southern Brazil.

Brazil will host the World Cup in 2014 for the first time since 1950.
 

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