The lack of definition by the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) in choosing the new coach, following Tite’s departure once the 2022 World Cup ended, has angered Abel Ferreira, one of the candidates for the position. The Portuguese coach has not yet been officially contacted and does not feel like the first choice on a daily basis and that could become a problem if the CBF chooses him for the position.
On holiday in Portugal, the Palmeiras coach sees his name circulating among the main candidates for the post of coach in Brazil, following the announced departure of Tite… on December 9, to Croatia, without any official contact.
In addition, it had been known for months that the now former Brazilian coach would leave the national team. Hence, the CBF’s lack of definition leads to some displeasure with Abel and, according to DN, if the invitation is delayed, it may not please Brazilian leaders. That is to say, anyone who takes Abel’s yes for granted could be surprised with a refusal, something that would embarrass Ednaldo Rodrigues, president of the CBF, who pointed to a wish considered unrealistic to dissuade Pep Guardiola from it to leave Manchester City, following a contract extension with the English club at the end of November.
There are many variables to consider in this equation that could lead the Portuguese coach to Brazil’s bench. The former is even beneficial to the canary leaders, the only one that would make Abel think twice about coaching a roster at such an early stage in his career. The coach is 43 years old – only half a dozen years old as head coach – and believes he has a long way to go before landing on a roster, which requires a profile slightly different from Abel’s.
However, he feels he can make a difference in the Brazilian national team and has a lightning success in his favor at Palmeiras, arriving in 2020, in the midst of the covid-19 pandemic, and has since won two Libertadores. Cups, a Brasileirão, a Cup of Brazil and a Recopa, trophies that put him on the list of the three most successful in the club’s history.
In Brazil, Rivaldo spoke out against hiring a foreign coach, but many former glories agree that Abel is best prepared to be a coach. Despite this, only informal polls have been conducted so far, DN said, and Abel Ferreira will only accept an invitation if it means he has full authority to reformulate the model and technical structure of the CBF, just as he did and does at Palmeiras.
The high salary he earns at Verdão is a disadvantage. Abel extended his contract until 2024 this year and received 6.7 million euros per season, having signed “the largest contract in the history of coaches in South American football”, according to Globo. In this sense, accepting the Brazilian national team would mean giving up almost half of the current salary, taking into account that Tite received 3.6 million euros per season.
If there are people who say that there are places that do not refuse – the canarinha is one of them – then the fact that they have to give up more than three million euros and a privileged position in Palmeiras changes. Even more Abel knowing that the CBF pointed to the millionaire Guardiola…
Palmeiras left the exit door wide open for the selection without the right to pay the termination clause. “Of course I would, of course I would. It would be an honor for every professional and for the club to have a coach who represents our country,” Palmeiras president Leila Pereira said on November 3 after winning the Brasileirao.
A significant gesture given that the Portuguese has a millionaire termination clause, worth 18.5 million euros. But the timing and goodwill of the president of the São Paulo club has a limit and is almost reached, according to DN. The season in Brazil starts in January and Leila does not want to make any concessions in preparing for the new season.
“During our glorious 107-year history, few professionals identified with our values and traditions as much as he did. I am sure he will continue to do his job brilliantly,” said Leila Pereira after signing the new contract with the Portuguese coach , which was shielded with a release clause 12 times higher than before, namely 1.5 million euros.
Abel feels good with Verdão and even though he knows that if he stays in a place where he has won everything, he risks losing his aura of conqueror, he wants to stay in Brazil and that’s why he said no to a contract with the Arabs and Premier League clubs.
Source: DN
