FILE: SOCCER/FOOTBALL - Former Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira signs four-year deal to take charge of 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa

Record ID: 335140

  • Title: FILE: SOCCER/FOOTBALL - Former Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira signs four-year deal to take charge of 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa
  • Date: 30th July 2006
  • Summary: WEGGIS, SWITZERLAND (MAY 25, 2006) (REUTERS) CARLOS ALBERTO PARREIRA WALKING INTO STADIUM BRAZIL NATIONAL SQUAD WALK ON TO TRAINING PITCH RONALDINHO TRAINING CROWD WATCHING RONALDO TRAINING PARREIRA WATCHING TRAINING SESSION
  • Embargoed: 14th August 2006 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: People,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAEMI3ZKMG0V402H18AGOTDUDND
  • Story Text: Former Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has signed a four-year deal to take charge of 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa, officials said on Saturday (July 29).
    The deal was concluded in Rio de Janeiro on Friday after talks between Parreira and a delegation from the South African Football Association.
    South African Football Association president Molefi Oliphant told Reuters on Saturday "everything is signed and sealed".
    "This is an exciting time for South African football. The association has now delivered a world class coach for the team. It's now up to him and the players to turn our side into a strong force," Oliphant said.
    He was unsure when Parreira would start in his new job but the Brazilian has already stated a preference for the beginning of 2007.
    South Africa, however, begin their qualifying campaign for the 2008 African Nations Cup finals with a home match against Congo in Johannesburg on Sept. 2.
    They will also meet Zambia away in a potentially key group match in October. There is also a friendly scheduled against Namibia in Windhoek on Aug. 16 but caretaker coach Pitso Mosimane has already been mandated to pick the squad for that game.
    Parreira will become the 14th coach for South Africa since the country returned to international competition 14 years ago.
    During that time they have twice qualified for the World Cup finals and won the 1996 African Nations Cup title but have won just three of their last 18 internationals played over the last 12 months in a slump that has seen them fall dramatically in the FIFA world rankings.
    Last week Parreira released a statement in Rio de Janeiro, saying: "It is an honour to receive an invitation from the South African national team as the country will be the centre of attention as hosts of the next World Cup."
    The 2010 tournament offers Parreira an opportunity to coach at a record-breaking sixth World Cup.
    The 63-year-old led Brazil to the 1994 title and also took charge of them at this year's tournament in Germany. In 1982 he was coach of Kuwait, took the United Arab Emirates to the 1990 finals and in 1998 was fired after Saudi Arabia's first two matches in France.
    Parreira's previous African experience was on the coaching staff of Ghana when they reached the final of the African Nations Cup in 1968 - almost 40 years ago when he was in his mid-20s.

    FACTBOX: Carlos Alberto Parreira was named on Saturday to coach South Africa when they host the 2010 World Cup finals.
    Following are career highlights of the Brazilian who was born on February 27, 1943 in Rio de Janeiro:
    * After working with Ghana team in 1968, was Brazil's fitness trainer at the 1970 World Cup. Five years later became a coach in his own first right for the first time and won the Carioca championship with Fluminense.
    * Appointed coach of the Kuwait national team in 1976 and in 1982 led them to their only appearance at a World Cup tournament.
    * Appointed coach of Brazil in 1983 but resigned a year later after indifferent results and returned to Fluminense.
    * Coached the United Arab Emirates at the 1990 World Cup in Italy before returning home and leading modest provincial club Bragantino to the Brazilian championship final. Named Brazil coach for a second time in 1991, replacing Paulo Roberto Falcao.
    * In 1994 Brazil win the World Cup for the first time in 24 years, beating Italy on penalties after a goalless final, but Parreira was criticised for the team's alleged lacklustre style. Resigned after the tournament.
    * After spells at Spanish club Valencia and Turkish club Fenerbahce, returned to Brazil in 1996 to coach Sao Paulo.
    * Appointed to lead Saudi Arabia at the 1998 World Cup finals in France but sacked during the tournament after his team lost their first two games.
    * Reappointed Brazil coach in 2003, winning the Copa America in 2004 and the Confederations Cup in Germany one year later.
    * Quit as Brazil coach for the third time after their quarter-final exit at the World Cup finals in Germany, where they lost to France. Accepted a return to Africa where he first started as coach of the 2010 World Cup hosts.
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