Brazil manager Tite has announced his decision to step down as the coach of the National team after six years in charge.

After being tipped as favorites before the tournament, Brazil suffered a shock defeat to Croatia in the quarterfinals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup after a penalty shootout.

The match was dominated by Brazil for 120 minutes with Neymar brilliantly scoring what looked like the winning goal in the first half of extra time but Croatia equalized at the death through Bruno Petkovic to force a penalty shootout.

The PSG defender Marquinhos missed the penultimate penalty that sealed Brazil's fate with Neymar not taking any penalty before Brazil were knocked out.

Brazil's wait for their second World Cup this century will continue as it has now been over 20 years since the five time Champions last won the coveted trophy.

After the game, Tite confirmed that he would step down as Brazil coach. He said that he was at peace with this decision as he already knew this was going to be the case over a year ago.

“A painful defeat, but I’m at peace with myself. It’s the end of my cycle.

“I already decided this over a year and a half ago. I’m not a two-faced guy. I wasn’t playing to win and then making drama to stay, anybody who knows me knows that.

“It was a whole process. Before, it was a recovery process, but now it had a whole sequel.”

Asked about his performance as Brazil manager on the whole, Tite responded: “Only time will tell.

“The pain, however human, I may have… the emotions are high. I’m not in a position to evaluate all the work carried out. Over time, you will make this assessment, I don’t have that ability now after an elimination.”

On his decision regarding Neymar's penalty involvement Tite said: "That's the one with the most pressure, and he would be the player with the most quality and mental preparedness to take the shot."

Tite took over as the coach in 2016 and managed to lead his country to two consecutive Copa America final trips in 2019 and 2021, winning one of them. At the World Cup, Tite was unable to repeat such success as Brazil were knocked out in the quarter final stages for two consecutive tournaments.

Tite managed a total of 81 games and won 61 of them and came into the tournament having been undefeated in 2022.

With the exit of Tite, another key figure in the national team whose future is in doubt is Neymar. The forward equalled Pele's record and became the joint highest goalscorer in Brazil's history but his future with the national team is still in doubt.

"I am not closing any doors on the national team but I am also not guaranteeing 100% that I will return," Neymar said after the game. "I need to think a bit more about this, about what is the right thing for me and the national team."

Croatia on the other hand will advance to the Semifinal against Argentina next Tuesday as they look to get to back to back World Cup finals.