Ahead of friendly against England, Scolari expects more fun, relaxed 2nd stint with Brazil

LONDON – After only a day back with the Brazil squad, Luis Felipe Scolari already senses it will be more fun this time.

Although expectations are rising back in Brazil ahead of the 2014 World Cup, Scolari is shrugging off the pressure on him to deliver the country’s sixth world title.

After all, the 64-year-old manager has been through it all before: Winning the World Cup and leading a national team at a home tournament.

Brazil’s fifth world title came with Scolari at the helm in 2002, and he was re-hired after a decade away to provide the experience and familiarity required by the federation for the World Cup on home soil.

“I can’t imagine any reason I shouldn’t be given a second chance,” Scolari said on Tuesday through a translator on the eve of his first match back in charge, against England.

“It’s a similar position to 2003,” he added, referring to leading Portugal into the quarterfinals at a home European Championship the following year.

“It’s about gathering people behind us, and … that’s what we are trying to do with these friendly games.”

The quest to win the trophy in the Maracana in July 2014 begins for Scolari on Wednesday in another of the world’s iconic stadiums, Wembley, with the friendly against Roy Hodgson’s England.

Despite spending just one day with the players, Scolari has high hopes — even if it was a struggle to convey his optimism due to a sore throat.

“The atmosphere is a lot lighter, a lot more fun with the players nowadays … because 10 years ago there were a lot more expectations,” he said.

“My first message (to the players) was that I have great confidence in them and I rely on them and I trust this team. What we are trying now is not too different from before.”

And that means no excuses if Brazil loses to England for the first time in 23 years. Especially with the majority of the squad already capped.

“It’s not a brand new team,” Scolari said. “So I cannot justify to the Brazilian people that I’ve only had one training session and that’s it … tomorrow it’s all going to be about finding a balance between the players, and we’ll see what happens.”

When those changes do take effort, Scolari will then justify his decisions.

“I’m ready to take on the critics based on what people will see,” he said.

Scolari replaced Mano Menezes, who was fired in November because the federation didn’t like his methods.

Veteran forward Ronaldinho insists Scolari hasn’t lost any of his hunger.

“I don’t think there’s any danger with such an experienced manager who knows the way to victory,” Ronaldinho, who won the World Cup with Scolari in 2002, said through a translator. “And I think we ought to be very glad with that.”

Perhaps it’s no surprise to hear Ronaldinho so warmly embracing Scolari’s return.

The Atletico Mineiro player, who had a successful career in Europe, is back in the squad a year after making his last appearance having expected to remain in international exile.

“My style remains the same and it gives me great pleasure to return to Europe,” the former Barcelona, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain star said. “I am the most experienced player in the team so I will do everything to win.”

Scolari wants to combine the experience of Ronaldinho with young talent like Neymar.

“He is 32 years old but he has played a spectacular season in Mineiro,” Scolari said. “He has shown a marvelous effort.

“Now it’s going to be up to him to prove I have taken the right decision to cap him once again and he will have to show how quickly he can integrate into this team. I don’t think it makes any difference he is 32 — look at Neymar, who is 21.”

The Santos forward turned 21 on Tuesday, and is already ranked by Scolari as one of the best players in the world alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

“There is a great evolution with his tactical ability,” Scolari said. “My role is to appreciate him … and help him to develop to be even better.”

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Rob Harris can be reached at http://twitter.com/RobHarris