Under Franco’s guidance, Brazil Under-20s won the South American Youth Championships in January, with squad members Neymar and Lucas Moura going on to make the senior team squad for the Copa America.
Now, Franco’s youngsters face Spain in the quarter-finals of the Under-20 World Cup, and Menezes says the coach is the key to progression for the Seleção.
“He has done his work well,” said Menezes on Franco. “He is the key detail Brazil need to beat Spain to reach the next round.”
Menezes has travlled to Colombia to watch the game, but has denied any involvement in team selection or tactics.
“I did not come here to create something different for this group relative to the match with Spain,” he added.
