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parreira to continue as technical advisEr

PARTING WAYS: Irvin Khoza, Carlos Alberto Parreira and SAFA president Molefi Oliphant at a press conference in Johannesburg yesterday Pic. Veli Nhlapo.21/04/08. © Sowetan.
PARTING WAYS: Irvin Khoza, Carlos Alberto Parreira and SAFA president Molefi Oliphant at a press conference in Johannesburg yesterday Pic. Veli Nhlapo.21/04/08. © Sowetan.

Ramatsiyi Moholoa

Ramatsiyi Moholoa

There is no crisis surrounding Bafana Bafana's preparations for the 2010 World Cup after the shock resignation of coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.

This was the bold statement by Safa president Molefi Oliphant at a media briefing at which the federation confirmed that Parreira has resigned.

In his letter of resignation Parreira made it clear that the deteriorating health of his wife in Brazil influenced his decision to call it quits.

"It depends on what your interpretation of crisis is," said Oliphant in full view of SAFA executive members. "In my view there is no crisis."

Oliphant pointed out that Parreira would continue as "technical adviser" until a permanent coach has been employed.

He revealed that SAFA had been discussing the matter around Parreira's future since April 4 after the coach brought it to their attention that his wife's health was deteriorating.

After that SAFA and Parreira met on April 7, when he informed them that he was facing a dilemma as a result of his wife's illness.

"We then made three suggestions to him," Oliphant said. "The first was to continue as a technical adviser until we find a new coach. The second that the technical staff, who have been part of the (2010) mission, should remain, and third, that he should assist Safa in the search for a coach to take his vision forward.

"On April 14 when we met he accepted the proposal to assist at a technical level and that (assistant coach) Jairo Leal will remain."

An emotional Parreira has recommended Flamingo coach Joel Santana as his successor but SAFA asked him to cast his net wider.

Other names bandied about include Portugal coach Louis Scholari, former Brazilian coach Mario Zagallo, ex-Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and Jomo Sono.

Parreira ends his 17-month marriage with Safa on May 2.

SAFA deputy president Irvin Khoza thanked Parreira on behalf of the executive for helping lay the foundation for Bafana Bafana's road to the 2010 World Cup.

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