Business & Finance Club - Abu Dhabi: Mano Menezes hasn't ruled out the return of ‘big names' to his Brazilian squad, despite his more-youthful team doing perfectly well without them.
Dunga's replacement was speaking after Brazil's 3-0 trouncing of Iran at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi on Thursday night.
Goals from Daniel Alves (13 minutes), Alex Pato (68 minutes) and Nilmar (93 minutes) guided Menezes' young-guns to a third win in only his third game in charge — that's after victories over Barcelona and the USA.
The Iran match featured just four players left over from Brazil's 2010 World Cup squad, and six newcomers, three of whom were handed debuts. The rest were relative unknowns.
Menezes told Gulf News, "We haven't closed the door to anyone. But we have to see new players and build a new team for the future. Names will return but for now the idea is to see new players for a new team."
Since Brazil were knocked out of the World Cup, fan's criticised sacked coach Dunga for not trusting his youth. This is why Menezes is eager to head towards the 2014 World Cup — to be hosted by Brazil — with a different attitude.
"I have to give an answer to Brazilian fans who want to see Brazil play the beautiful game again," he said.
Veteran Bagheri given warm send-off
Karim Bagheri, 36, made his final and 87th appearance for Iran against Brazil on Thursday night, coming on for Masoud Shojaei on 72 minutes. He was given a warm send-off by coach Afshin Ghotbi.
"I coached him at Persepolis and now in the national team. You couldn't ask for a better professional or personality," Ghotbi said.