Dunga returns for second stint as Brazil coach

Brazil's new manager Dunga listens to a question during a news conference in Rio de Janeiro July 22, 2014. Brazil named Dunga, whose full name is Carlos Caetano Bledorn Verri, as their manager for the second time on Tuesday, two weeks after they were hammered 7-1 by Germany in the World Cup semifinals which led to the resignation of former coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. [Photo/Agencies]

RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazil is bringing back Dunga to coach the national football team, four years after he was fired from the same job.

Tuesday's hiring comes two weeks after Brazil was eliminated from the World Cup in a humiliating 7-1 loss to Germany in the semifinals.

The 50-year-old Dunga replaces Luiz Felipe Scolari, who resigned last week after Brazil failed to win football's premier event on its home soil.

It could be a difficult road for the former defensive midfielder. Several polls released in the last few days show he is highly unpopular, by margins of at least 3-to-1.

"When it comes to the survey, we have to overcome that," Dunga said. "I think they (fans) will eventually understand the work we are planning, and I don't feel rejected. ... I'm not going to change people's mind set, but I will change the way people think about me."

He also brought up the name of former South African President Nelson Mandela.

"Without firing a gun, he changed how people thought about him," Dunga added.

The Brazilian football confederation confirmed the appointment during a news conference at its headquarters in suburban Rio de Janeiro, but gave no details about salary. CBF President Jose Maria Marin indicated he wanted Dunga to continue until the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Dunga gave a blunt evaluation of Brazil's situation.

"We're no longer the best," he said. "We're all aware of this. We can't tell our fans that we're the best."