Tite, who coached Brazil at the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups and has a lot of success at club level, has announced that he is stepping away from the game for an indefinite period to cater to his physical and mental well-being.
The 63-year-old, was hospitalised due to a heart issue last August and Brazilian media reported that he had an anxiety attack overnight before flying from Rio de Janeiro to Sao Paulo, after which he decided to take a step back.
“I have to understand that, as a human being, I can be vulnerable. Admitting to that will certainly make me stronger,” Tite, who coached Brazil from 2016 to 2022 taking them to two World Cup quarter-finals, said.
“I love what I do and I will continue to, but as I spoke to my family and noticed the signs that my body was giving me, I decided to do what is best now and interrupt my career to take care of myself as long as I need.”
After being fired by Flamengo last September less than a year after taking the job, Tite hasn’t coached anywhere, but was expected to sign a deal with Corinthians on Tuesday, before he decided otherwise.
“There was an ongoing conversation with Corinthians, but it will have to be halted due to a difficult but necessary decision,” the coach said. He had previously led the club to several titles, including the 2012 Copa Libertadores and Club World Cup. Tite has also coached other Brazilian club sides – most noticeably Gremio, Atlético Mineiro and Palmeiras. His crowning glory as a coach was guiding Brazil to the 2019 Copa America title at home, defeating Peru 3-1 in the final. In the 2021 edition, also in Brazil, the hosts lost 0-1 to arch-rivals Argentina in the summit clash.
Tite was a midfielder in his playing days (1979-1990) but never represented Brazil, and had to retire at the age of 27 due to a succession of knee injuries.