The coach of Brazil is "Dunga." That's it, just Dunga. If there was ever the epitome of the Brazilian soccer culture, it's that even their coach goes by a single name.
Carlos Caetano Bledorn "Dunga" Verri was first a player too, of course. He captained the 1994 World Cup winning Brazilian team.
Past glory and one-name recognition isn't helping him much though as he continues to deal with one of the most unusual coaching criticism campaigns ever.
Brazil is unbeaten and headed to the quarterfinals of the World Cup after taking Chile out behind the woodshed here 3-0 Monday night. Yet Dunga still faces an army of skeptics who are more interested in how Brazil wins, not just that it wins.
Upon being named national coach in 2006, Dunga installed a defensive-minded, counter-attack style that ran counter to the Brazilians' famed flair, freedom and offensive fireworks. It hasn't been met with much enthusiasm among some fans, media and former players, even as the team keeps winning international tournaments (Copa America and Confederations Cup).
"Today's Brazilian footballing style is an affront to our culture," said former star Socrates, a one-namer himself.
That's just part of Dunga's popularity problems. While he captained that Cup champion in '94, he was never the flashy hero of other one-name stars such Pele, Garrincha, Zizinho, Ronaldinho and now Kaka. His style of play was tough and physical.
Besides, Dunga is Portuguese for "dopey," a nickname he acquired as a kid in reference to the dwarf of Snow White fame. And "Dunga" doesn't really roll off the tongue like Ronaldo does.
Leading into this World Cup, dopey was about the nicest thing Dunga was called. It may be time for the critics to go quiet because this so-called affront to the Brazilian culture is marching onto a heavyweight quarterfinal match with the Netherlands on Friday.
Brazil dominated all over the field Monday. The Selecao suffocated the Chilean offense and made brilliant offensive plays when the time was right.
Eighteen days into the World Cup and Brazil is still a favorite.
"Everybody expresses their own preferences," Dunga said of the critics.
"I like winning."