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The Selecao legend thinks the Brazilian FA did not choose the correct moment to part ways with the coach, and suggests a foreigner like Pep Guardiola would need longer to adapt

Former Brazil right-back Carlos Alberto has criticised the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) for their timing in the sacking of Mano Menezes.

The 50-year-old has been released from duty by the organisation only 19 months before the 2014 World Cup, after failing to deliver both the Copa America and Olympic trophies.

And, although Alberto was not surprised by the action, the timing of the decision left him bemused as the Selecao had just beaten their closest rivals.

"I would be more surprised by the sacking of Mano Menezes if I weren't Brazilian and didn't know how football works," he said at a conference in Brazil.

"This is nothing jaw-dropping, people had been talking for sometime that he was going to lose his job. It seems to me the time to send him packing was not the best.

"I have the impression the decision was already made by the Brazilian FA but I still don't understand why the guy loses his job right after beating Argentina away."

He then gave praise to former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola, and although he insisted that a foreign coach could bring something new to the table, Alberto feels they could face problems adapting to the environment with the World Cup just over a year away.

He added: "I am not against having a foreign trainer for the Brazilian national team and Guardiola is certainly a name that could be considered for the job.

"But it would only work if the new coach had more time to work. Had a foreigner been chosen right after the last World Cup, it would have been ok.

"We need to remember that appointing a coach from abroad would represent a big change in terms of methods, from training patterns to tactical philosophy. That cannot be done in one day.

"We also need to take into account that Brazilian players can be quite rebellious and sometimes refuse to accept what the coach is telling them to do. That is why I think it would be difficult to appoint a foreign boss now.

"I am certainly not against it, but I don't think there is enough time for everybody to adapt to this change. Perhaps it's an option to consider for the 2018 World Cup. Then, why not? A quality foreign manager could have a lot to give to Brazil."