Brazil manager Tite apologised for the “lie” that fuelled speculation suggesting he was in talks to replace Mikel Arteta as Arsenal manager.
The north Londoners went into the international break in pole position to finish in the top four. Their 1-0 away victory against Aston Villa enabled them to open up a four point gap on fifth placed Tottenham Hotspur, while also holding a game in hand over Antonio Conte’s side.
Bukayo Saka’s goal at Villa Park also secured the Gunners’ fifth victory in six Premier League victories, a run which is only bettered by Chelsea and Liverpool. But while Arsenal have not transitioned into an international break in a stronger position since Arteta replaced Unai Emery in 2019, surprising reports suggesting Tite was “in talks” with the Gunners began to circulate.
These reports also appeared to shock the Brazilian manager, as he quickly clarified his future in charge of the South Americans, by describing the rumours as a “lie”.
“My feeling is of sadness. I feel sad. I am sad because the information given to the public is a lie. The information is a lie,” Tite said as quoted by UOL.
“And the people I represent and feel identified with me, rest assured, because Tite has a personal conduct, values his professional activity and knows the responsibility of the Brazilian national team.” Tite has been at the Brazil helm since 2016, where he replaced then manager Dunga.
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The former Corinthians manager guided the five-time World Champions to the quarter finals of the 2018 World Cup, before winning his country’s first Copa America title since 2007 the following season. The 60-year-old has also presided over an almost faultless World Cup qualification campaign which has seen the Brazilians win 13 and draw three of their 16 qualifying matches.
While his reputation with Arsenal technical director Edu is believed to be strong due to their time together at Corinthians, Tite promised that there were no ongoing discussions between him and the Gunners’ chief. As well as blasting the Arsenal rumours, he also, somewhat bizarrely, proceeded to apologise to Arteta and his own family members for those rumours.
“Sorry, Arsenal, sorry, Arteta. It wasn’t that situation. It didn’t come from us. No, there is absolutely nothing. No person connected to me, Gilmar Veloz…,” Tite added.
“My word of honour is that there is no one, not even from me and Gilmar, who can talk about it. My wife, rest assured. Miro, my brothers, rest assured, your brother has dignity in what he does, I have great respect for being coach of the national team and for the competition, for the World Cup, which is what matters most.”
Tite is expected to depart the Brazil national team at the end of the season as he is believed to hold an interest in managing in Europe. He announced at the end of February that he plans to hand over the reins after the 2022 World Cup in Brazil.
"I will stay until the end of the World Cup," the 60-year-old told Brazilian channel SporTV, via France24, at the end of February.
