Scolari 'resigns' after World Cup

Head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari of Brazil looks on during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Third Place Playoff match between Brazil and the Netherlands at Estadio Nacional on July 12, 2014 in Brasilia, Brazil. Photo: Getty Images

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has resigned after his country's failure to win the 2014 World Cup, reports Brazilian broadcaster Globo TV.

Scolari, 65, won the tournament in 2002 but his side could only finish fourth when hosting this year's event.

His team were thrashed 7-1 by Germany in the World Cup semi-final, their joint-heaviest loss ever and first home competitive defeat for 39 years.

Brazil then lost 3-0 to the Netherlands in the third place play-off.

Scolari's contract was set to expire after the tournament, and Globo TV - Brazil's leading broadcaster - reports that the resignation will be confirmed on Monday by the CBF, Brazil's football confederation.

UOL News website is also reporting the resignation, quoting two sources in the Brazilian confederation.

During the defeat by the Netherlands, Scolari was booed every time he appeared on the stadium's big screen.

He originally took over the Brazilian team in 2001 and guided them to World Cup success a year later, beating Germany 2-0 in the 2002 final in Yokohama, Japan.

But after spells in charge of Portugal, Premier League side Chelsea, Bunyodkor of Uzbekistan and Brazilian club Palmeiras, he returned to take over the national team in 2012.

They hosted and won the Confederations Cup in 2013, beating Spain 3-0 in the final, and were favourites to win a sixth World Cup.

Brazil finished top of their group after two wins and a draw from their three matches, before edging past Chile on penalties in the last 16.

They then beat Colombia 2-1 in the quarter-finals, but that victory came at a cost as top goalscorer Neymar suffered a spine injury and key defender Thiago Silva picked up his second booking of the tournament to miss the Germany game through suspension.

Joachim Low's Germany side scored five goals in the opening 29 minutes on their way to the semi-final victory.

Scolari said the defeat was "the worst day of his life" and asked for forgiveness from the Brazilian people.