Bafana coach Parreira speaks out

BE patient! That was the plea from new Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira when he met and answered media questions about his multimillion-rand, four-year appointment.

The former Brazilian World Cup coach emphasised he was not here for the money, but the privilege of leading the first African team to host the World Cup finals on home soil. Parreira said he had had other offers, but chose to coach Bafana.He added that there was much work to be done before Bafana were ready to hold their own against the world’s best in 2010.Parreira watched Bafana’s disappointing 0-0 draw against Congo at the FNB Stadium in the first group 11 African Nations Cup qualifier on Saturday.The next day he saw the SA under-23 side edging neighbours Namibia 1-0 in an Olympic Games qualifier in Potchefstroom.He said his job was to build a team to compete in the 2010 event but he would not mould Bafana in the Brazilian style.NO NONSENSE He explained: “South African players are technically good and have skill, but they are different to those in Brazil.”The Brazilians keep possession because they have superb technique.But, I am not going to force Bafana to play like that.”He added he would not accept any nonsense or interference from his employers at the SA Football Association (Safa).He is well aware that Safa have employed 13 coaches in as many years and most claim they have been upset by the way certain Safa officials interfere with the national coach.Parreira said: “I do my job and would not allow even the king (of Saudi Arabia) to tell me what to do.”So, I am not going to let Safa tell me how to coach Bafana.I will do it my way.”He added that he had no conditions in his four-year contract.It was reported he had been given a mandate to win the African Nations Cup in 2008 and 2010, plus the World Cup in 2010.THE COACH’S MANDATE Parreira said: “There are no clauses to say I must win this or that trophy.If Safa are not happy with me, then they can tell me to go.If I am not happy with them, I will go.”Safa CEO Raymond Hack confirmed that Parreira’s mandate was to build a world-class team for the 2010 World Cup finals.Hack said: “We wanted, and got, the best possible coach.”But, just as worrying to the new Bafana coach is the fact the PSL allow clubs to sign five foreign players each season.Parreira said: “I will suggest to Safa that somehow that rule is changed and that clubs are allowed only three foreigners until the end of the 2010 World Cup finals.”Parreira said it would be a step in the right direction and encourage clubs to develop home-grown talent.He added he was not surprised by the small crowd that attended the Congo match.STRUCTURES NEEDED He said: “That is a clear signal that the fans are unhappy and we need to improve.”He said South Africa must set up a youth league urgently and was shocked to learn that SA had no youth leagues in place.”How are we to develop players for the national team if we do not have development structures in place?” Parreira, who will take over Bafana on January 1, is hoping to arrange a friendly against Brazil.He said: “If we are to improve we must play against the best teams in the world.”Parreira said he would hold talks with wayward Bafana Bafana striker Benni McCarthy when he officially took charge of the national team.Parreira admitted he was worried that Bafana had scored only four goals in their last nine games.McCarthy, the country’s top marksman, decided he wanted a break from international commitments in order to focus on his family and settle at his new English Premiership club, Blackburn Rovers.After promising caretaker coach Pitso Mosimane he would be available to play against Congo in the opening African Nations Cup qualifier, McCarthy withdrew a week before the game.Parreira said: “I want to give all the players a chance – including McCarthy.”SupersoccerParreira said he had had other offers, but chose to coach Bafana.He added that there was much work to be done before Bafana were ready to hold their own against the world’s best in 2010.Parreira watched Bafana’s disappointing 0-0 draw against Congo at the FNB Stadium in the first group 11 African Nations Cup qualifier on Saturday.The next day he saw the SA under-23 side edging neighbours Namibia 1-0 in an Olympic Games qualifier in Potchefstroom.He said his job was to build a team to compete in the 2010 event but he would not mould Bafana in the Brazilian style. NO NONSENSE He explained: “South African players are technically good and have skill, but they are different to those in Brazil.”The Brazilians keep possession because they have superb technique.But, I am not going to force Bafana to play like that.”He added he would not accept any nonsense or interference from his employers at the SA Football Association (Safa).He is well aware that Safa have employed 13 coaches in as many years and most claim they have been upset by the way certain Safa officials interfere with the national coach.Parreira said: “I do my job and would not allow even the king (of Saudi Arabia) to tell me what to do.”So, I am not going to let Safa tell me how to coach Bafana.I will do it my way.”He added that he had no conditions in his four-year contract.It was reported he had been given a mandate to win the African Nations Cup in 2008 and 2010, plus the World Cup in 2010. THE COACH’S MANDATE Parreira said: “There are no clauses to say I must win this or that trophy.If Safa are not happy with me, then they can tell me to go.If I am not happy with them, I will go.”Safa CEO Raymond Hack confirmed that Parreira’s mandate was to build a world-class team for the 2010 World Cup finals.Hack said: “We wanted, and got, the best possible coach.”But, just as worrying to the new Bafana coach is the fact the PSL allow clubs to sign five foreign players each season.Parreira said: “I will suggest to Safa that somehow that rule is changed and that clubs are allowed only three foreigners until the end of the 2010 World Cup finals.”Parreira said it would be a step in the right direction and encourage clubs to develop home-grown talent.He added he was not surprised by the small crowd that attended the Congo match. STRUCTURES NEEDED He said: “That is a clear signal that the fans are unhappy and we need to improve.”He said South Africa must set up a youth league urgently and was shocked to learn that SA had no youth leagues in place.”How are we to develop players for the national team if we do not have development structures in place?” Parreira, who will take over Bafana on January 1, is hoping to arrange a friendly against Brazil.He said: “If we are to improve we must play against the best teams in the world.”Parreira said he would hold talks with wayward Bafana Bafana striker Benni McCarthy when he officially took charge of the national team.Parreira admitted he was worried that Bafana had scored only four goals in their last nine games.McCarthy, the country’s top marksman, decided he wanted a break from international commitments in order to focus on his family and settle at his new English Premiership club, Blackburn Rovers.After promising caretaker coach Pitso Mosimane he would be available to play against Congo in the opening African Nations Cup qualifier, McCarthy withdrew a week before the game.Parreira said: “I want to give all the players a chance – including McCarthy.”Supersoccer