Brazil midfielder Renato Augusto has credited former Seleção boss Dunga with his revival at international level. The ex-Bayer Leverkusen and Corinthians midfielder put his international career in jeopardy according to many when he moved to China in early 2016.
Renato is a key part of Tite’s Brazil team, the pair having worked together at Corinthians. But the player was keen to point out that Dunga was the manager that originally showed trust in him following his move to the Chinese Super League.
"I celebrated when Dunga called me the second time. Because he had called me, I was a starter, I played well and then I went to China. When he summoned me there, I was really happy. He put me in the team. That took some weight off of me.
"A lot of people talk about Tite, but I was already in the national team. People mix things up. I went to the Copa América with Dunga, I would have gone to the Olympics with him. Dunga had already called me. My work just continued.
"People have to stop associating with Tite. I was already in the squad and did a job, “said the Beijing Gouan midfielder. He also revealed that he will undergo a special fitness plan to keep him in top condition for the World Cup next summer, with the Chinese season now finished.
"There is a plan with Bruno Mazziotti and Fábio Mahseredjian [physiotherapist and physical trainer] to reduce vacation time and do some physical work and not start the preseason at zero. Just to get to the middle of the year at the highest level."
