SA Blog Number 6: Brazil’s Managerial Merry-Go-Round
24th September 2009
It’s been a strange month in Brazilian football. No, Pele didn’t offer any complimentary words about Maradona (pigs may just fly before that occurs). Unbelievably, in that timeframe, only one coach in Brazil´s top flight, Serie A, has been sacked - a staggering statistic!
The unlucky coach, Renato Gaucho, sacked by Fluminense, was the 29th dismissal by 20 top tier clubs in 2009. Just last year he guided the Rio giants to a Copa Libertadores final, losing to LDU Quito on penalties. Gaucho actually rejoined Flu this season, after a spell at Vasco Da Gama, but following a poor string of results, he got the boot, after just 40 days!
The old cliché ´a week is a long time in football´ resonates all around the world, but particularly so in Brazil. Last year´s Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A statistics make devastating reading for domestic coaches. The Brazilian season consists of 38 games, usually played over 31 weeks between May and December. In that period, 27 coaches received their marching orders or resigned, giving us an average of almost one per week, with some clubs changing manager every few months. Figueirense had five coaches last season; Ipatinga four; Portuguesa three and Vasco Da Gama three. All four clubs were, unsurprisingly, relegated.
This seasons statistics look no better. We are currently 21 weeks in, with 25 games played. So far, 18 coaches have been sacked or resigned, including two former Brazil bosses- Wanderley Luxemburgo and Carlos Alberto Parreira. Serie A football is simply about results, the managers either get the team to perform, or it´s ‘boa noite’.
You may well ask why? Well, the majority of Brazilian clubs are now run by business syndicates and investors who have little patience and demand the instant success that makes players appear an attractive proposition to European clubs, meaning big transfer fees and an immediate return on their investment. There is no future planning; pragmatism has been replaced by profit. Coaches are not given adequate time to implement their own ideas; build a foundation or, in some cases, bring in their own players- they simply have to work with what they have got.
Even winning sometimes isn´t enough for the board and supporters. Take Muricy Ramalho, sacked by Sao Paulo at the beginning of the year, he guided the Paulista club to their most successful domestic period ever, winning three successive league titles in 2006, 2007 and 2008. However, Ramalho was sacked for failing to deliver the Copa Libertadores title, and playing what was deemed ´unattractive´ football. What do you have to do to stay in a job?!
So, it really is no surprise that Vasco, Portuguesa, Ipatinga and Figueirense were relegated. When talent is lacking, often the trust players place in their coach can be enough; playing as a well organised unit for the gaffer, for the club and for the fans. When the players don´t know who will be in charge next week, how can they care? How can you achieve anything without team spirit and camaraderie? Something that can only be gained with continuity.
Last year’s final league table makes interesting reading, the top five were Sao Paulo, Gremio, Cruzeiro, Palmeiras and Flamengo, all of whom retained the same coach for the full season. As the Brazilian table currently stands, of the top five- Palmeiras, Inter, Goias, Sao Paulo, and Atlético Mineiro- only Sao Paulo have changed manager, and that was Ramalho´s dismissal. There is a lot to be said for consistency in football.
Will things change in the future and coaches be given a fair crack at the whip? No chance! This is Brazil!
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Ramalho
:::2009-09-24 17:08:33
I now realise what Didier Drogba was on about
Its a disgrace.
Great blog once again though, saf.co.uk is quickly becoming a favourite website
Simon
:::2009-09-24 17:54:30
Bloody hell!
I had no idea they treated managers like that in Brazil, they´re crazy, is it like that with the National Teams as well?
Brian
:::2009-09-24 20:54:03
In previous years, Brazilian national coaches were often sacked very quickly and ruthlessly. Take Emerson Leao for example; dismissed for failing to win the insignificant Confederations Cup in 2001. Dunga himself was lucky to survive this far. But, it shows that in any management job if given time in the role, good things can happen. Dunga learned from Leao´s mistake, however, and every game is about winning- so in that sense winning at both club, and international level is very important for the Brazilians.
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