SAO PAULO — The Brazilian football federation has said discussions to select the new Brazil coach will take place in the last week of December, with the announcement expected early in January. The federation needs to find a new coach after firing Mano Menezes Friday, saying it was not pleased with his methods. “A meeting scheduled for after Christmas will determine the new coach,” federation director Andres Sanchez said. “The coach needs to be in place by January.” Brazil will host next year's Confederations Cup and the 2014 World Cup. World Cup winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is the fan favorite, but Sanchez said other renowned names in Brazil could also be called on, including Muricy Ramalho, Vanderlei Luxemburgo, Abel Braga and Tite. “All of them may be selected,” Sanchez said, dismissing the possibility of hiring an inexperienced coach like Dunga, who was picked for the national team in 2006 despite lacking any coaching experience. Brazilian media said Saturday that Pep Guardiola is also a candidate and the Lance sports daily published an interview with the coach saying he would accept the job with Brazil. Sanchez, the top director in charge of the national team, said he would be against hiring a foreign coach. The director didn't dismiss the possibility that it could happen, though, as he was also against the firing of Menezes but couldn't stop it. — Agencies
