RIO DE JANEIRO, July 25: Former Brazil midfielder and captain Dunga was surprisingly named as the country's new national team coach on Monday, the Brazilian Football Confederation said on its official website.

The 42-year-old, with no previous coaching experience, replaced Carlos Alberto Parreira, who resigned last Wednesday following Brazil's disappointing performance at the World Cup.

They were surprisingly knocked out in the quarter-finals by France after beginning the tournament in Germany as hot favourites to lift a sixth world title.

Dunga, famous for his fighting spirit, captained the Brazil team which won the 1994 World Cup and he wore the armband again four years later when they finished as runners-up to France.

“I want to bring the same determination I had as a player,” Dunga told the CBF's web site.

“Motivation and will to win are fundamental for anyone who wants to wear the shirt of the Brazilian national team.”

The favourites to replace Parreira had been ex-Real Madrid coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo and former Peru coach Paulo Autuori.

Dunga's first game in charge will be a friendly against Norway in Oslo on Aug 16.

Brazil are not due to play any competitive games until next year's Copa America in Venezuela.—Reuters