RIO DE JANEIRO, April 7 (Xinhua) -- Three-time FIFA World Player of the Year winner Ronaldo believes last November's sacking of national coach Mano Menezes has set Brazil back in its preparations for next year's World Cup.
Menezes was dismissed in November last year, just days after leading Brazil to the Superclassic of the Americas trophy with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Argentina in Buenos Aires.
He was replaced in December by 64-year-old Luiz Felipe Scolari, under whom Ronaldo played in Brazil's 2002 World Cup-winning team in Japan and South Korea.
"I think the change was too soon," said Ronaldo, who now runs a sports marketing agency and is an ambassador for Brazil's World Cup organizing committee.
"I feel comfortable saying this because I have nothing to do with the CBF. Mano was starting to get results and the team was playing better."
"Despite the fact there is still time before the World Cup, Brazilian fans want the team to be strong now. They want Brazil to be winning and playing well. The change of coach set the team back."
Brazil is yet to win since Scolari's reappointment, losing 2-1 to England in February followed by 2-2 and 1-1 draws against Italy and Russia last month.
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