Menezes accepts offer to coach Brazil

RIO DE JANEIRO - Mano Menezes succeeds Carlos Dunga as Brazil coach after the Corinthians boss accepted an offer Saturday from the Brazil football federation (CBF).

The CBF had also expressed an interest in securing Muricy Ramalho for the post but this ended when Fluminense prevented the coach, who has a contract with the Brazilian club until 2012, from accepting the job.

CBF president Riccardo Teixeira confirmed Friday that Menezes had been invited to consider the offer and the 48-year-old announced his decision Saturday to accept the job.

“It is with satisfaction and pride that I have agreed to coach the national team,” he said.

“For the whole of Brazil, I say that I officially accept the invitation.”

Menezes’ first game in charge of the Selecao will be against the United States on August 10.

Five-time World Champions Brazil were among the favourites to win World Cup 2010 in South Africa, but were eliminated at the quarter-final stage by the Netherlands, leading to the sacking of Dunga.

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