RIO DE JANEIRO, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian soccer great Pele has rendered his support to embattled Brazil coach Dunga, insisting the 1994 World Cup-winning captain is the best man for the job.
Dunga has come under mounting pressure after Brazil's poor start to their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign. The Selecao have collected just nine points from their first six qualifiers, and draws against Uruguay and Paraguay last month have led to calls for him to be replaced by Corinthians coach Tite.
"They (Dunga and Tite) have different characteristics, but I like them both," said Pele, a three-time World Cup winner, in an interview with the Folha de S.Paulo newspaper.
"At the moment I would keep Dunga as coach. They both have personality, but see the game differently. I think both could be coaches of the national team," the Brazil legend added.
In a book to be released next month, Tite told journalist Camila Mattoso that he was twice sought by Brazil officials last year about the national team's coaching job.
Dunga and Brazil's technical director, Gilmar Rinaldi, were reportedly told that results must improve immediately during a meeting with the Brazilian football confederation's top brass on Tuesday.