Brazil Coach Zagallo and Staff Get Boot

The Brazilian Soccer Confederation on Monday dismissed national team coach Mario Zagallo and the entire staff that coached the team during the World Cup in France.

“The saga will continue, and you’ll have the last installment when they name the new coach,” Zagallo told reporters in Rio de Janeiro.

The move was widely expected, and the team’s new coach will be named Aug. 31.

Zagallo coached the national team over 148 games in two terms, including 107 victories, 29 ties and 12 losses.

Zagallo’s first game as coach came in 1970 when Brazil beat Chile, 5-0, in the World Cup in Mexico. He led Brazil to the World Cup title that year and took over again after the 1994 tournament. His last game was this year’s World Cup final, which Brazil lost, 3-0, to France.

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Roger Lemerre was named France’s new national soccer coach.

Lemerre, whose appointment was expected, takes over for Aime Jacquet, who left the after guiding France to the World Cup title on July 12.

“I feel honored to take over the responsibilities of the French team.” said Lemerre, 57. “I think the position is prestigious, but it is also somewhat perilous.”

Lemerre, who was Jacquet’s assistant since January, has limited experience at top-level management.

He played for France six times between 1968 and 1971 before embarking on a coaching career at Red Star, Lens, Paris FC, Strasbourg and the Tunisian youth team.

His main achievement at club level was guiding Lens to promotion to the first division in 1979.

Before joining Jacquet, Lemerre coached the French Army soccer team for more than a decade, and won the World Military title in 1995.

French Football Federation officials said that they chose Lemerre to maintain continuity.

France’s next game is an exhibition match against Austria in Vienna on Aug. 19. After that, the team will travel to Iceland for a European Championship qualifier match on Sept. 5.