| SAO PAULO // If World Cups could be won solely on experience, Brazil would not rely on their 23 players, of whom only five went to South Africa in 2010. Nor would they rely on Luiz Felipe Scolari, even though he led his nation to a record fifth title 12 years ago. If a World Cup could be won solely on experience, Brazil need to look only as far as Scolari’s assistant, Carlos Alberto Parreira, who has enjoyed a life so entwined with Fifa’s showpiece tournament that a World Cup without him would feel almost as odd as a World Cup without a ball. In 1970, 42 years ago, Parreira was a fitness coach with Brazil’s triumphant World Cup squad, working with Pele, Tostao and Rivelino. Inspired by the experience, he became one of only two coaches to lead five nations at World Cup finals, including the team of the United Arab Emirates in 1990. Scolari joked earlier this year that if Brazil do not win this month’s tournament he will need to emigrate to Kuwait. Yet Parreira, 71, moved there voluntarily in 1978 and led the Arab Gulf nation to its only finals, four years later. To continue reading, click here. |
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Gary MeenaghanSports scribbler. Pedant with prose. Alliteration addict. Omnivore. Archives
June 2015
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