Since he arrived in South Africa in May last year as Carlos Alberto Parreira’s replacement as coach of Bafana Bafana, Joe Santana with his Brazilian style coaching has certainly made a great difference to the South African national team. The fourth place in the recent Confederation Cup showed a Bafana Bafana that was still a bit rough around the edges, but that was arising from the ashes.
Maybe it was the sound of the vuvuzela’s or the passion of the fans that lifted the players, but it seems like Joel Santana’s Brazilian magic is working out right for our boys.
Let’s get to know the coach a bit better. Here are ten facts about Pappa Joel:
Joel Santana, South African National Football Coach.
- He played central defender
- In Brazil, Santana is one of the few managers to win the Campeonato Carioca (Rio de Janiero State Championship) with each one of the four big clubs of the state (Botafogo, Flamengo, Fluminense, and Vasco da Gama)
- Coaching Bafana Bafana is Santana’ first international Coaching Job
- His nickname – Papa Joel
- The club he left to take up the Bafana Bafana post, Flamengo, rates as one of the most popular teams in the world with over 30-million fans.
- Santana also coached in Japan, the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
- Joel Santana was born on Christmas day 25 December 1948.
- He played against Pele.
- In Brazil Joel Santana is known as “Mr. Fix it” for his amazing to save club’s from relegation
- His first match with Bafana Bafana was on 1 July 2008 in Abuja against Nigeria.
Picture AFP
Popularity: 5% [?]
Nothing personal Joel but you got this job thru default Looking up your career How on Earth did we employ you It was like carlos resigned and brought you along and said oh just give my friend the job your career is very unspectacular and after a good run (believe me I wanted you to succeed but you have lost the respect of the players and the fans why do we pay you so much for such not even mediocrity Just as a comparison Peter Reid Superb career England international and good management record International and club level is assistant coach at Stoke City!!! can anyone tell me logically why we dont lose Joel and approach Peter?