Sacked Brazil coach Menezes thanks players

Sacked Brazil coach Mano Menezes has paid tribute to his former players just hours after being told his services with the national team were no longer required. Menezes' fate was sealed during a meeting with the president of Brazil's Football Confederation (CBF), Jose Maria Marin, and national football director Andres Sanchez on Friday afternoon. His dismissal came less than 48 hours after Brazil won the Superclassic of the Americas trophy by defeating rivals Argentina in a dramatic penalty shootout in Buenos Aires "As announced already, I am no longer the coach of Brazil," Menezes said in a statement. "I would like to thank everybody who worked with me, especially the players who were selected during this period and all of those who believed in our project." "I wish all the best for the Brazil national team as it strives to achieve the dream of all Brazilians by winning its sixth World Cup in 2014." Menezes took over the job from Dunga following Brazil's quarterfinal exit at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. He led the team to 21 wins, six draws and six losses. Earlier Sanchez said the CBF would announce Menezes' successor in the New Year. Among the candidates to fill the role are Brazil's 2002 World Cup-winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari and current Corinthians boss Tite.