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Igesund objects to Parreira

THE most successful local coach said yesterday that he does not want Brazilian Carlos Alberto Parreira recalled as coach for the 2010 World Cup.

THE most successful local coach said yesterday that he does not want Brazilian Carlos Alberto Parreira recalled as coach for the 2010 World Cup.

Gordon Igesund, winner of the league title with a record four clubs and now in charge of Maritzburg United, said there were several local coaches capable of reviving Bafana Bafana after eight losses in nine games.

"I keep hearing that South African coaches have no international experience, but Franz Beckenbauer never handled a national team before taking charge of Germany and leading them to 1990 World Cup glory.

Jurgen Klinsmann did not have any national team experience either before the last Cup and created a German side that played fantastic football and finished third.

"South African coaches know the players, know their environment, know the culture they operate in and we are immensely proud of our country," said the former Austria-based professional.

Parreira quit as South Africa coach in April last year to be with his ill wife in Brazil. His successor Joel Santana was fired on Monday after losing 14 out of 27 internationals.

Although Parreira led his country to the 1994 World Cup title and was more popular than Santana, he recommended his country to Safa and his own record as South African national coach was uninspiring with just two points garnered from 2008 African Nations Cup clashes against Angola, Tunisia and Senegal. - AFP

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