Brazilian football federation accepts Scolari's resignation

dpa

The Brazilian football federation (CBF) has formally accepted the resignation of Luiz Felipe Scolari from the national team.

"Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari ... and his fellow coaching staff surrendered their positions to the board," the CBF said in a statement issued on Monday.

"Scolari and his entire coaching staff deserve our respect and gratitude. They were responsible for returning to the Brazilian people your love for the national team, despite not having achieved our greatest goal."

Scolari had hinted he would step down after Brazil's 3-0 defeat against the Netherlands in the match for third-place at the World Cup Saturday. That defeat followed a 7-1 humbling by Germany, the worst ever defeat in Brazilian World Cup history.

The coach was loudly booed by the crowd in Brasilia after Saturday's defeat and had said after the game that it was up to the Brazilian football confederation to decide on his future.

Scolari, 65, led Brazil to the 2002 World Cup title, and after winning the Confederations Cup at home last year was hoping to lead the Selecao on home soil to a sixth title after being re-appointed coach in late 2012.

CBF President Jose Maria Marin was expected to announce a successor at a press conference in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday.