Muricy Ramalho, the man who turned down Brazil, on brink of glory

In July this year, Fluminense manager Muricy Ramalho was offered the biggest job in Brazilian and possibly World football, coach of the Brazilian national team. He refused the offer, preferring instead to honour his contract with Fluminense. Today, his side lead the Brazilian league by one point with just four games remaining. If they finish top it would be only the Rio club's second national title and their first since 1984. Remarkably, it would be Ramalho's fourth in the last five years.



After Brazil's poor showing at this year's World Cup and Dunga's subsequent dismissal, the search begun for a new manager. Ramalho emerged as a leading candidate. As coach of São Paulo, he had won the national title three years in a row in 2006, 2007 and 2008. This was a level of dominance unheard of in the fluctuating world of Brazilian domestic football. Towards the end of July, CBF president offered him the once in a lifetime opportunity to lead the national team for the next four years through to the 2014 World Cup where they would be hosts and likely favourites. Amazingly he refused the offer citing the fact that he was already under contract.

He revealed a week later in an interview with the Record TV network that it had a been a difficult decision.

"I was sad and in truth I am still very sad. Who is it that doesn't want to be remembered? To be remembered is a great thing. Imagine having this offer. So, imagine how I felt...I was awake almost all night. The morning arrived and I still couldn't sleep."

It is surprising that he showed such loyalty to his club. Even more surprising when you consider that he has first hand experience of the fickle nature of management in Brazilian domestic football. After winning three titles in a row with São Paulo, he was abrubtly sacked in May 2009 after his fourth unsuccessful Copa Libertadores campaign. An unsuccessful six month spell at Palmeiras followed before another he was fired again. He had only been Fluminense manager since April this year when the Brazil offer came. Who was to say that another poor run of results would not lead to another quick dismissal?

His faith in Fluminense appears to be paying off. He has assembled a solid if unspectacular side that has the best defensive record in the league. He has helped convince Juliano Beletti and Brazilian born Portugal international Deco to return home from Chelsea and bolster the midfield. Up front the attack is built around veteran target man Washington who is ably supported by former Lyon striker Fred, another player who has flourished since returning from Europe.

Fluminense's final four games include two tough away trips to two of his former clubs Palmeiras and São Paulo. Corinthians and Cruzeiro are just a point behind in the table and have both won the title more recently. It won't be easy but Muricy Ramalho has been in these situations before and who would bet against him coming out on top again?