/ 17 August 2008

Parreira to return as Bafana technical adviser

Former Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira is set to return to South African soccer after resigning as coach four months ago, reports the Sunday Times.

The Brazilian has been asked to return as technical adviser to the national team.

Speaking from Rio de Janeiro this week, Parreira said he had agreed to return.

”We agreed on the idea in principle. If they want me to do this job, I don’t see a problem coming to help,” he said. ”It is up to them to make the next move. I am not taking any job until December. I told them I would agree on the idea with no fixed salary, but [to] only get paid for the work which I do.

”There has to be a final agreement. [South African Football Association chief executive] Raymond Hack keeps in touch. They want to develop the idea.”

The World Cup-winning coach quit his R1,8-million-a-month job in April, 15 months into his tenure, citing his wife’s health.

”She is OK now, thank God. She is living a normal life with some precautions,” he said. ”With regard to her cancer, she had the choice to either have the breast removed or to undergo chemotherapy. She felt it was safer to remove it. She has to have a check-up every six months.”

Parreira’s return is not a complete surprise, as Safa boss Molefi Oliphant had hinted at the possibility at the press conference announcing Parreira’s resignation. — Sapa