Brazil to consult former coaches to lift fortunes

The Brazilian football confederation will seek advice from a panel of former coaches in an effort to improve the flagging fortunes of the country's national team.

Wednesday's announcement follows Brazil's Copa America quarterfinal loss to Paraguay on penalties, which came almost a year after the team's 7-1 World Cup semifinal defeat to Germany.

Selecao technical director Gilmar Rinaldi said the panel would be consulted to help establish a new strategic plan.

"We will institute the council of strategic development for Brazilian football," Rinaldi told SporTV. "We want an X-ray of what can be done. We want to open the confederation to knowledge from outside. It will be the future of the national team and of our football."

"The goal is to have a diagnosis of Brazilian football through different perspectives so we can create and implement a strategic plan of action," Rinaldi said, adding that the confederation will also summon different health and technology professionals."

Among coaches and former coaches expected to be approached are Luiz Felipe Scolari, Mano Menezes, Carlos Alberto Parreira, Mario Zagallo, Vanderlei Luxemburgo and Paulo Roberto Falcao.

Brazil won the last of their record five World Cups in 2002. In addition to a dearth of world class players, the country's domestic game has suffered from dwindling crowds and rising debt among clubs amid accusations of corruption and mismanagement. Endi