SOUTH AFRICA: SOCCER - Carlos Alberto Parreira returns to South Africa as coach of the national team
Record ID:
454794
SOUTH AFRICA: SOCCER - Carlos Alberto Parreira returns to South Africa as coach of the national team
- Title: SOUTH AFRICA: SOCCER - Carlos Alberto Parreira returns to South Africa as coach of the national team
- Date: 6th November 2009
- Summary: JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (NOVEMBER 5, 2009) (REUTERS) AIRPORT ARRIVALS HALL, PEOPLE WAITING SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE IN ARRIVALS HALL CARLOS ALBERTO PARREIRA WALKING ALONGSIDE SOUTH AFRICAN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (SAFA) CEO RAYMOND HACK PEOPLE WAITING FOR ARRIVALS CARLOS ALBERTO PARREIRA WALKING ALONGSIDE RAYMOND HACK (SOUNDBITE) (English) CARLOS ALBERTO PARREIRA SAYING: "Yes, very happy to be here again, back again" CARLOS ALBERTO PARREIRA WALKING, SURROUNDED BY SAFA OFFICIALS AND JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (English) VOX POPS, SOUTH AFRICAN RESIDENT VICTOR PETERSON SAYING: "I think Parreira will be fine for his experience. After (predecessor Joel) Santana done a good job by teaching our boys how to pass, how to play ball, you see, I think it will be lovely" WIDE OF ARRIVALS HALL (SOUNDBITE) (English) VOX POPS, SOUTH AFRICAN RESIDENT SIPHO NKWITSHI SAYING: "He went back to Brazil, I don't see a reason why he's coming back because we also have our own coaches here in South Africa, why don't we choose from our own coaches, not international coaches? I believe it's supposed to be proudly South African" (SOUNDBITE) (English) VOX POPS, SOUTH AFRICAN RESIDENT ANDRIES BREED SAYING: "I think it's good for us to bring him back to get some continuity and for the player support, I think he'll do a good job" VARIOUS OF CAR TRANSPORTING CARLOS ALBERTO PARREIRA OUT OF AIRPORT
- Embargoed: 21st November 2009 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: South Africa
- Country: South Africa
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVA14PIHPZ8MHU5PGOA3PK1HDF6Q
- Story Text: Carlos Alberto Parreira returns to South Africa as coach of the national soccer team.
Carlos Alberto Parreira returned to South Africa on Thursday (November 5) to coach of the national football team again.
A small contingency of South African football officials met the Brazilian at the airport, but no fans were in sight to greet the 66-year-old former Brazil national coach.
He was swiftly whisked away by the officials, only managing to say a few words as he walked towards the vehicle.
"Yes, very happy to be here again, back again," Parreira said.
Parreira is now on course to participate in a record sixth World Cup as coach after being named to succeed compatriot Joel Santana, who was dismissed in October after a run of poor results for the World Cup hosts in recent warm-up matches.
Parreira was first approached by the South Africans in 2006 to build a competitive side ahead of the 2010 World Cup finals, but quit after 21 matches in April 2008 and returned to Brazil for personal reasons.
Santana did not have the same impact, however and was asked to step down after South Africa lost eight of their past nine matches, looking listless eight months before the start of the World Cup.
South Africa's football fans have expressed opposing views on Parreira's arrival, with some appreciating his experience and others echoing popular sentiments that a local coach is preferable.
"I think Parreira will be fine for his experience. After Santana done a good job by teaching our boys how to pass, how to play ball, you see, I think it will be lovely." said Victor Peterson.
"He went back to Brazil, I don't see why he's coming back because we also have our own coaches here in South Africa, why don't we choose from our own coaches, not international coaches. I believe it's supposed to be proudly South African," airport security staff member Sipho Nkwitshi said.
Parreira is faced with the task of turning the South African football squad's fortunes around before June 2010's FIFA Soccer World Cup, as the country prepares to host the world's biggest sporting spectacle. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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