Brazil names Mano Menezes as new head coach

The Brazilian Confederation of Soccer (BCS) officially named Mano Menezes as the head coach of the national soccer team on Saturday after a long 24-hours of uncertainty.

BCS president Ricardo Teixeira initially proposed Fluminense's head coach, Muricy Ramalho, to the position. However, Fluminense refused to release the coach from his contact to exclusively coach the national team.

The disappointing news led Teixeira to then name Corinthians' head coach Mano Menezes on Friday. Menezes then responded by saying he would finalize his decision by Saturday.

After the Corinthians team practice on Saturday, Menezes meet with the press to announce his acceptance of the position. The coach was not bound to the limitations of his contract like Ramalho, allowing his departure from Corinthians as long as it was to the Brazilian national team and not another Brazilian soccer club.

Menezes will have the immeadiate work of putting together a roster by July 26 for their August 10 friendly against the United States in New Jersey. For the friendly, Menezes will only select home-based players.

Source: Xinhua