July 26 – Experienced Swedish coach Pia Sundhage will replace Vadao as the head coach of the Brazilian national women’s team, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced.
Earlier this week the CBF parted ways with Vadao, who had overseen a second-round exit at the World Cup this summer in France, but the governing body was quick to replace him with Sundhage.
“I’m very happy for this opportunity,” Sundhage told the Swedish FA’s website.
“Brazil is a fantastic football country, full of talented players whom I look forward to getting to know and work with. The national team is in an exciting phase right now – you need, at least to some extent, a change of generation, while you have qualified for the Olympics next year.
Sundhage becomes the first foreigner to coach Brazil’s team. Sundhage coached the United States to Olympic gold in both 2008 and 2012. She won silver with Sweden at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, beating the hosts en route to the final.
Sundhage has signed a two-year deal with a possible extension until the 2023 Women’s World Cup, a tournament for which Brazil is one of the bidding nations.
“It feels sad, of course [to leave Sweden], I have enjoyed the [under-17] national team incredibly well,” said Sundhage. “But this opportunity was simply too inspiring and interesting to be able to resist.”
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1714107838labto1714107838ofdlr1714107838owedi1714107838sni@t1714107838catno1714107838c1714107838