Brazil boss Tite turned down offers from PSG and Real Madrid and plans to end 20-year World Cup wait

Brazil boss Tite has revealed that he was approached by European powerhouses PSG and Real Madrid ahead of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The Selecao manager turned them down, as he told the Guardian that his priority is winning the World Cup with his country, although he fell at the quarter-final stage in Russia. 

Brazil have not won the tournament since 2002 but Tite is intent on ending their 20-year wait for a record-breaking sixth title, but admits he would welcome a move to Europe in the future. 

 The 61-year-old Brazilian confirmed he had been approached by European clubs, saying: ‘Yes, Real Madrid and Sporting.

‘What I like is that when a European club have an interest in a professional, they have a conversation to explain what they need. This is really cool.

‘There was another club that wanted to talk to me and I said no: PSG [after Unai Emery left in May 2018]. They wanted to talk to me and I said I won’t; I don’t want to and I won’t.

‘I don’t want to open up that possibility of something else. I want to be focused on my work. After is another story.’

Tite is intent on ending his nation’s 20-year wait for a sixth World Cup star added to their badge

Having taken over as manager of Brazil in 2016, he has lead them to Copa America glory in 2019, but was unsuccessful in his bid for a World Cup title four years ago. 

He will have the chance this winter, with his contract lasting until at least the end of December. 

His side have been drawn in a fairly straight-forward group G alongside European sides Serbia and Switzerland, as well as recent AFCON hosts Cameroon.

Although Brazil’s history usually has them among the favourites for most World Cups, their squad is inundated with talent, boasting the likes Fabinho, Thiago Silva, Ederson, Alisson, Gabriel Jesus and Champions League winner Vinicius Jr. 

Neymar is three short of football icon Pele’s scoring record, sitting on 74 in 118 games for 

But it is in PSG star Neymar that Tite insists the true quality of his side lies, and he insists that the at times petulant forward has grown into his role as his nation’s talisman. 

Tite said: ‘Neymar is Neymar. He remains our biggest star. The difference now is that the glow is diluted by nearby stars that can also shine. 

‘Neymar’s greatness is that he understands this – about the growth of these kids. He encourages the boys to go up a level. 

‘Time and experience provide this maturity.’