The Selecao legend, who skippered Brazil to 1994 FIFA World Cup triumph, revealed that the “good reports” the competition has received from a number of Brazilian players has piqued his interest as he looks for the next chapter in his coaching career.
“I am always looking to challenge myself as a coach and having spent many years with Brazil’s national teams I would like be in charge of a club on a day-to-day level,” Dunga told The World Game.
“Good reports have come back to Brazil about the level, quality and professionalism of the A-League and the competition intrigues me.
“Regardless of interest I've had in Europe, Australia would be a very interesting project, a new and exciting challenge.”
Now 54, Dunga first coached Brazil from 2006 to 2010, winning the 2007 Copa America and 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.
He was dismissed after reaching the last eight at the World Cup in South Africa.
He also led Brazil’s Under-23s to bronze at the 2008 Olympic Games.
His one club coaching gig was with Internacional, the club he began and finished his illustrious playing career with. That stint was cut short after 10 months in 2013.
But that did nothing to blunt his appeal, with Brazil appointing him for a second spell in charge after their spectacular semi-final flop under Luíz Felipe Scolari on home soil at the 2014 World Cup.
“You are always learning in football and Australia would be a new experience and I feel I could develop further there and also maybe bring some of my own knowledge,” he said.
With both Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix in the market for coaches for next season, Sydney-based agent Engin Durmus, of AFS Sports Management, said Dunga’s “calibre speaks for itself”.
“He would offer great knowledge and expertise of the game at the very highest level,” said Durmus, who has the mandate to bring him to Australia.
“His presence would generate great interest in the A-League, not just here but also in Brazil.”
Dunga, who was dismissed by Brazil in 2016 after failing to get beyond the group stage at the Copa America, has his own memories of Australia - as a player.
The former midfielder, who amassed 91 caps, played in the Selecao team which thrashed the Socceroos 6-0 in the final of the 1997 Confederations Cup, coming up against the likes of Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka, Mark Bosnich, Ned Zelic and Craig Foster that day.
“It was a big win for us, but Australia did very well in that tournament and I remember that they had some excellent players,” he said.
“But you have to understand, we had Ronaldo and Romario up front, and they both scored hat-tricks!
“Australia has produced some great players and continues to grow and develop as a nation - that’s obvious after qualifying for four World Cups in a row.
