equinox24
Apr 20 2005, 07:54 PM
Another Brazilian coach resigns RIO DE JANEIRO, April 20 (Reuters) - Palmeiras coach Candinho resigned on Wednesday leaving three of Brazil's biggest clubs without trainers only four days before the start of the national championship.
Candinho, who had been in charge for two months, quit hours after his side lost 2-1 to second division Santo Andre in an all-Brazilian match in the South American Libertadores Cup.
Santo Andre, who qualified by winning last year's Copa Brasil knockout tournament, went level on five points with Palmeiras in Group Four, three behind leaders Cerro Porteno of Paraguay.
Sao Paulo, where Emerson Leao surprisingly quit on Tuesday to join Japan's Vissel Kobe, and Flamengo, where Cuca was fired last week, are also without a coach.
Candinho said he left because the Palmeiras squad was not strong enough for the Libertadores Cup and the Brazilian championship.
"I'd told the directors the team needed reinforcements," he said in a radio interview.
"We need top level players. Today, we don't have those players."
Palmeiras finished a modest 10th in the Paulista championship, the largest of the regional tournaments which kick off the marathon Brazilian season.
Candinho took charge in February after Estevam Soares was fired following a bizarre seven-minute substitution.
Soares sent midfielder Diego Souza on during the second half against Uniao Sao Joao and then replaced him seven minutes later, bringing a furious response from the player.
Candinho, who had been in charge for two months, quit hours after his side lost 2-1 to second division Santo Andre in an all-Brazilian match in the South American Libertadores Cup.
Santo Andre, who qualified by winning last year's Copa Brasil knockout tournament, went level on five points with Palmeiras in Group Four, three behind leaders Cerro Porteno of Paraguay.
Sao Paulo, where Emerson Leao surprisingly quit on Tuesday to join Japan's Vissel Kobe, and Flamengo, where Cuca was fired last week, are also without a coach.
Candinho said he left because the Palmeiras squad was not strong enough for the Libertadores Cup and the Brazilian championship.
"I'd told the directors the team needed reinforcements," he said in a radio interview.
"We need top level players. Today, we don't have those players."
Palmeiras finished a modest 10th in the Paulista championship, the largest of the regional tournaments which kick off the marathon Brazilian season.
Candinho took charge in February after Estevam Soares was fired following a bizarre seven-minute substitution.
Soares sent midfielder Diego Souza on during the second half against Uniao Sao Joao and then replaced him seven minutes later, bringing a furious response from the player.