Pele criticizes Brazil coach Mano Menezes

Posted Thursday, March 22, 2012 by YAHOO Sport

SAO PAULO (AP)—Pele isn’t happy with the style of Brazil’s national team and believes coach Mano Menezes was wrong to say that Santos forward Neymar needs to move to Europe to improve as a player.

Menezes has been criticized by fans and media following Brazil’s poor performances recently. The team needed a goal in second-half injury time to defeat Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-1 in a friendly in Switzerland last month.

“I think Brazil will always be fighting for a title,” Pele was quoted as saying in Brazilian sports daily Marca on Wednesday. “But it’s time we define (our style). Brazil doesn’t have its own style, and it’s not because of a shortage of players.”

Pele’s criticism came on the same day that Brazil football federation director Andres Sanchez also expressed his dissatisfaction with the team, saying it needs to “improve a lot” and that “nobody” is satisfied with it performance.

Sanchez was president of Corinthians when Menezes was the team’s coach a few years ago.

Contrary to Menezes’ belief, Pele said Neymar doesn’t need to move from Brazil to reach his full potential.

“I think Mano doesn’t like Santos,” Pele said. “I played my entire life here and Neymar has the possibility to keep playing here, making the money that he is making now and continuing to do the job that he has been doing for the national team. He can continue being Neymar, the best in the world.”

Menezes recently said it was important for Neymar to move to Europe to gain more respect and develop more rapidly. He said that being close to home and supporters in Brazil, Neymar receives too much attention and his focus is affected because he is required to do a lot more than he would if he were in Europe.

His comments were heavily criticized in Brazil, especially by Santos’ club directors. The team had been highly praised by fans and local media for rejecting the multimillion dollar offers from European clubs, including reportedly from Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Neymar has a contract that ties him to the Brazilian club until the 2014 World Cup, which will be hosted by Brazil.

Santos coach Muricy Ramalho also criticized Menezes, but former Brazil star striker Ronaldo is among those who agrees with the coach. Ronaldo’s sports marketing agency has Neymar as one of its clients.

The 20-year-old Neymar’s spot in the national team is virtually secured as he is expected to become the next huge Brazilian star in world football.