South Africa’s hopes of tempting Brazil’s former World Cup-winning coach Carlos Alberto Parreira to take over their national team have hit trouble, media reports claimed on Saturday.
O Globo television said that negotiations have stalled over the exact nature of Parreira’s responsibilities.
”Carlos Alberto Parreira will not manage the South African team,” reported the Panorama Deprtivo.
”The idea of South African officials was to take a coach to occupy the most-important function — the technical organisation of the 2010 World Cup.
”The Brazilian will not sign a contract for such a post and will not go to Johannesburg as planned next week.”
But O Globo added that the talks could restart if the South African Football Association makes a new proposal.
Sources have also said that Parreira has been linked to the coaching vacancy with the United States as well as with Brazilian club side Fluminense.
It was reported just two weeks ago that Parreira had agreed a deal to take charge of the 2010 World Cup hosts.
Parreira, who resigned as Brazil coach following the team’s disappointing quarterfinal exit at the hands of France at the World Cup in Germany, is expected to be in Johannesburg in the next two weeks.
The veteran coach guided Brazil to glory at USA 94 and has coached Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia at other World Cups. — Sapa-AFP