Interview with coach Dunga
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December 7th, 2009
I recently came across this excellent interview with Dunga, the coach of the Brazilian team. The interviewer was Cosme Rímoli, a prestigious sports journalist who covered the last four World Cups and currently works with Record, an important mainstream news network in Brazil.
The interview happened in an airport, just before Dunga took off to South Africa to attend the draw of the groups of the World Cup. It was a personal talk, and Dunga seems to have had felt more at ease to express himself. Below, translation (not verbatim) of relevant parts of the interview:
Q: Are you worried about France and Portugal not being seeds, and the possibility that they fall in the group of Brazil?
A: Brazil doesn’t fear anyone. Of course that it would be better to start off with weaker adversaries and grow from there. But I speak sincerely: I don’t fear France nor nothing nor anybody. We have done a good work, and we can face anyone who comes around. We respect everyone, but we can’t forget that we are the Brazilian team. (Note: after the draw, Dunga declared that “Brazil is in a difficult group, and this is good, as the team will be obliged to stay alert right from the start”).
Q: Why are you so certain (of a good performance by Brazil)?
A: Because of what we acomplished in America Cup 2007, Confederations Cup 2009 and the Qualifying. Many people doubted of my work, I know that. I was called to change the whole scenery, and it wasn’t n easy task. I got expressive results, which other coaches, more experienced, didn’t. I suffered a huge pressure, but I could mold and impose my way of working to the team. I did a long work of observations, I gave chances to whoever deserved. We managed to put together a group in which I trust. I am certain that our work was the best possible.
Q: You said you had to change the scenario. Are you talking about the fiasco in Germany?
A: I was there and I know that many things didn’t work quite right. I was captain of the team champion in the United States, and I saw the difference in attitude between then and Germany. I won’t get into details because I wasn’t member of the team, all I can say is that my work has been and will continue being during the Cup just the way I am: very serious and committed. To win a World Cup, it takes self giving, commitment, seriousness. And we will have all that in South Africa. I say so because I know profoundly the group that I formed.
Q: Are you saying that we won’t see in South Africa all that hype and looseness we saw in Germany, where players were released to party until 5 am?
A: I am glad you asked. I am telling you that the Brazilian team will behave in South Africa in the way that the media always asked. I am tired of hearing you say that the European teams are correct. Then, we will follow the same path of professionalism and modernity that they adopt. I am warning you: I won’t listen to complaints in South Africa. We will be as much or even more professionals than the Europeans, particularly towards the media. (Note: the movie below gives and idea about how Brazil prepared to the games in 2006).
Q: I got it. Parreira (coach of Brazil in 2006, currently coach of the South Africa team) was too loose, and you won’t be.
A: You are intelligent, you know what I mean. Important: I am not blaming anyone, I am talking about the context. I don’t know how far Parreira could go to impose limits. In other past cups, there was even more freedom, and Brazil ended champion. But times have changed. Physical fitness, concentration, and focus must be total. Over these three and a half years I’ve been coach, everybody who worked with me had it clear the commitment it takes to stay in the Brazilian team. And during the Cup, the dedication of everyone will be even bigger.
Q: Do you think you will be able to control the players during the Cup?
A: I repeat that the word commitment has a very clear meaning to me. A World Cup stays forever. The player who comes there with me shall delve into the Cup and do not think about anything else. We will be protected from external factors, including the media (according to the interviewer, that means that contacts between players and journalists will be superficials, probably limited to the group interviews required by FIFA; in Germany, several players waited awaken to be interviewed at the most convenient time by the major Brazilian TVs).
Q: Is the final roster already chosen? Will there be any surprise?
A: My work shows a coherence, a goal. There is a basis already formed, everybody knows that. But the Brazilian team is never fully closed. I can’t say that the 23 players are already defined. Talented players appear all the time.
Q (paraphrased): Do Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos stand a chance of going to South America?
A (paraphrased): No (see this other interview about Ronaldo).
Q: If you win the Cup in 2010, will you stay as coach until the World Cup 2014?
A: Let me be as clear as I can. I won’t stay. Not even if we are champions. There is no way to convince me otherwise. I am a man of word.