Cafu Says Scolari Has Done a Good Job and Talks About His Expulsion From the Changing Room

07/11/2014 - 09h15

Cafu, 44, the 2002 World Cup captain when the national team was five-time winner and the athlete who has played more matches with the squad, suggests a "review of the concept of Brazilian football". He says it is not possible to change all the managers and defends the permanence of coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Folha interviewed Cafu over the phone and he talked about his expulsion from the changing room after the team's elimination commanded by the CBF president José Maria Marin.

Folha - After the defeat, people are talking about changing the CBF and the football player development. What should be the priorities?
Cafu - For years I've been pleading for the review of the concept of Brazilian football. There is nothing new. Now, we face an opportunity to change the quality and the whole sports management of all institutions.

What concepts need to be changed?
Professionalism, respect for the athletes, to offer quality and working conditions for everyone, to reformulate the whole concept of the basic categories so that football can be as competitive as it used to be.

Is it possible to change if we keep the current presidents of federations and the current CBF management?
It is impossible to replace all the presidents. I don't want to be against CBF, the federations or the managers. I'll repeat: we must change the concept.

The group Bom Senso FC has the necessary strength to make the changes?
That is its purpose. Bom Senso was not created to challenge or to create intrigue with a manager or a journalist. No. It was created to plead for changes in football. They need to have the strength to make the changes they want.

You were at Mineirão. How do you feel about it?
The defeat took everyone by surprise. It was an afternoon in which nothing went right, the group couldn't find its way on the pitch and they faced a very structured team.

What happened in the changing room, after the match?
I went there to talk to the boys, because I've lived that feeling in the changing room, I know how bad and sad it is after a defeat in a World Cup. I talked to the majority of them. I wanted to support them and show we were with them and that life goes on.
I talked to Scolari, Murtosa and Parreira. I asked Scolari if I could speak with the boys. He said: "Of course, you should, guri". I was on my way when the head of the CBF security came by surprise and asked me to leave.
I asked why and he said the CBF president did not want any stranger in the changing room. I asked: "But am I a stranger? Look at me!" He said: "Marin demands you to leave the changing room and I'll have to get you out now".

Did Marin apologize to you?
No. Only the [the elected CBF President] Marco Polo [Del Nero] called me, asking me what had happened in there, and I told him. Maybe that is what Brazilian managers lack: respect for the people who made history in Brazilian football. Most of our big world champions were forgotten.

Who should be our next coach?
Scolari is the coach. He still has a work ahead; there is the third-place match and then the Olympics. We're talking without knowing whether he will be dismissed. Maybe we should have more respect, give him space to produce a long-term job. Scolari has done a good job, but he cannot be cut because of one game. I don't have a name to substitute him.

Do you think he should stay?
Yes, I do. Scolari and all the coaches who started a work and haven't finished it yet. We must respect their work.

Translated by JULIANA CALDERARI

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	Nelson Almeida - 29.mai.2014/AFP
	Former Brazilian national football team captain Cafu