World Cup - Santana quits South Africa

Eurosport - Mon, 19 Oct 16:38:00 2009

South Africa have parted ways with coach Joel Santana just under eight months before the country hosts the 2010 World Cup finals.

FOOTBALL Joel Santana - 0

The departure of the 60-year-old Brazilian comes after a run of eight losses from their last nine games.

"Mr Santana is no longer coach of the senior national team," South African FA CEO Raymond Hack told Reuters.

After reports emerged that he had been fired, Hack insisted he quit of his own accord.

"It's true he has resigned. It's by mutual consent, he was not fired," he told PA sport.

"The national executive committee are meeting on Friday and current assistant coaches Pitso Mosimane and Jairo Leal will continue as caretaker coaches until then."

Santana's departure had been widely expected after defeats last week in friendly matches in Norway and Iceland.

He was South Africa's 15th coach in as many years and in an 18-month spell he had 27 matches in charge, 14 of which were lost.

There were 10 wins and three draws.

The removal of Santana could open the door for a return of compatriot Carlos Alberto Parreira, who had to resign in 2008 when his wife fell ill.

PA / Reuters

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  1. thats good mean McCarthy can come back into the team­ and south africa will have a better chance of anything­ in the world cup

    From mallaney, on Mon 19 Oct 10:05PM

  2. GOOD RIDENCE TO BAD RUBISH,SANTANA MUST GO AND HE IS­ GONE,NEVER TO COME BACK

    From owen, on Mon 19 Oct 8:44PM
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