Scolari apologizes for defeat

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari apologized to fans for failing to lead the host to the World Cup final, saying the "catastrophic" defeat to Germany on Tuesday marked the "worst day" of his professional life.

"I have to apologize for the negative result, for not being able to reach the final as we all wanted," Scolari said, speaking calmly after the humiliating 7-1 loss.

Scolari took full responsibility for the drubbing, and said he knows that it is very likely his career might be defined by what happened at Mineirao Stadium - even though he also led Brazil to the 2002 World Cup title.

"Naturally, if I think about my life as a player and as a coach, I think this was the worst day of my life," Scolari said.

"I know I'll probably be remembered for losing 7-1 to Germany, for Brazil's worst loss. But it was a risk I knew I was taking. I have to take responsibility for it."

The coach said he has to find a way to learn from the "catastrophic loss" in front of the home crowd. He said there are "no excuses" for what happened, not even the absence of star striker Neymar, who was ruled out of the tournament because of a fractured vertebra sustained late in the quarterfinal win over Colombia.

"They (Germany) probably would have done it with Neymar playing," Scolari said. "I don't think there's any reason for us to suppose that with Neymar it would have been different."

He said the "very high quality" of Germany was the reason for Brazil's disappointing elimination at its home tournament.

"They took advantage of their chances, they are very good," he said.

Scolari was vivid on the sideline as Brazil pressured Germany in the first few minutes. After Brazil conceded the third goal, he kept asking his players to be calm, but as the Germans scored for the fifth time, the coach sat down on the bench and only sparingly came back to the sideline.

"It was one after the other, I think everyone blanked out," Scolari said. "There was nothing we could do. We panicked."

Scolari declined to discuss his future, and the president of the Brazilian soccer confederation has always said Scolari would remain as head of the national team no matter what. However, the coach is unlikely to remain with Brazil after Saturday's third-place match in Brasilia.

He had said in the past he would like to retire after coaching in the World Cup, but recently said it was still possible he would extend his career outside of Brazil.

"I don't think I have any debts to pay," he said about his time with Brazil.

"I did my job, as always."