Brazil offer coach post to Muricy Ramalho

Fluminense manager Muricy Ramalho has been asked to take over as Brazil coach but has not yet accepted the job.

The gruff 54-year-old, who won three consecutive Brazilian championships with Sao Paulo between 2006 and 2008, said after a meeting with Brazilian Football Confederation president Ricardo Teixeira that he needed to speak with Fluminense officials before making a decision. "Nothing is decided because I still have a contract with Fluminense," Ramalho said in a statement.

Ramalho would replace Brazil's 1994 World Cup-winning captain Dunga, who left as coach following the country's quarter-final defeat to the Netherlands in South Africa this month.

Dunga, in charge for just under four years, was criticised for producing a Brazil team which lacked style but Ramalho is not expected to be much different. Ramalho's Sao Paulo team were renowned for being physically robust and strong in defence.