João Saldanha

João Alves Jobin Saldanha (3 July 1917 in Alegrete, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil - 12 July 1990 in Rome, Italy) was a journalist and football manager. He took the Brazil national football team to the 1970 FIFA World Cup title.

Saldanha was nicknamed "João Sem Medo" (fearless João) Fact|date=July 2007 and played football for Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas. He then entered journalism and became one of Brazil's most prolific sport writers. He often criticised players, managers and teams, and was a member of the Brazilian Communist Party Fact|date=July 2007.

In 1957, Botafogo appointed him as their coach, despite his lack of managerial experience. The club won the Rio state championship that season. In 1969, he was invited to take charge of the national team, and led them to a perfect 6-0 record. It is alleged that soccer federation president João Havelange appointed him in the hope that journalists would be less critical of the national team if one of their own was in charge. Fact|date=July 2007

Saldanha was publicly criticised by Dorival Yustrich, coach of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo. Saldanha responded by confronting him while brandishing a revolver. Saldanha was said to have fallen out of favour because of his unwillingness to select players who were personal favourites of Emilio Garrastazu Médici, in particular striker Dario, with Saldanha reported to have said "the president looks after his ministry, but who's in charge here is me". The last straw came when the assistant manager resigned, saying that Saldanha was impossible to work with. Saldanha was sacked, replaced by Mario Zagallo.

Saldanha returned to journalism. He died while covering the Football World Cup 1990 for a Brazilian television station.

External links

* [http://www.futebolthebrazilianwayoflife.com/AskAlex.aspx?year=2003&month=June Article on Saldanha]