Over the past decades, we’ve witnessed how World Cup tournaments have offered a legendary image to some coaches. Men like Brazil’s former manager Luiz Felipe Scolari and Italy’s Marcelo Lippi have acquired this status and will forever remain in the history of football and of the World Cup.

Carlos Alberto Parreira, South Africa CoachAhead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament, LiveSoccerTV.com takes the immense pleasure of figuring out and analyzing the coaches that are expected to make an impact through their wisdom in South Africa. Among the top 10 list which has been cut into two are Diego Maradona and Fabio Capello.

1) Carlos Alberto Parreira - South Africa

Why not start off our exploration with the man that will lead the host nation throughout the world’s most prestigious sports event, the World Cup? His name is Carlos Alberto Parreira, the famous Brazilian native manager who has his name in football’s history as one of the only coaches to have led four different nations to the World Cup. But more importantly, Carlos Alberto Parreira is remembered for guiding Brazil to victory at the 1994 World Cup and for his heroic achievements as a Fluminense boss back in the 1980s and 1990s. So Parreira will be equaling Bora Milutinovic’s record by guiding a fifth team in the name of South Africa. Most analysts doubt the potential of Bafana Bafana but Carlos Alberto Parreira’s experience could just be what it takes for the hosts to enjoy a positive tournament.

 

“I've been telling my players to forget about the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and rather think about Bafana Bafana. We are now World Cup players. We are talking about a high level of football where the demand is very high - technically, tactically, physically and mentally especially. You have to be ready for the difficulties in the game, sometimes you are under pressure but you have to be strong mentally, and not allow the other team to overcome you, and you have to fight to the end.”

Carlos Alberto Parreira genuinely sounds like a mentally equipped manager who is not ready to give up to the battles that haven’t yet started as of now. We do say that some matches are won by coaches more than by the players on the pitch. Well, South Africa could count on Carlos Alberto Parreira to pilot Bafana Bafana from the dugout in the right direction. Group stage rival coaches Raymond Domenech, Javier Aguirre, and Oscar Tabarez should perhaps watch out.


2) Diego Armando Maradona - ArgentinaDiego Armando Maradona, Argentina Coach

The legendary former Argentine midfielder is either mocked or praised. Diego Armando Maradona created for himself a special place amongst football’s legends. Who doesn’t know how much the controversy of the ‘Hand of God’ elevated and popularized him as much as he had ever imagined?

Maradona is regarded as ‘Lionel Messi’s father’ or ‘the greatest god of football’, and now he is in charge of Argentina’s national football team. He will have at his disposal a number of stars that any coach could envy. The combination of attacking minded players such as Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, and the reigning footballer of the year Lionel Messi has put Argentina under the pressure of delivering during the World Cup. Maradona often makes the headlines for his behavior and for negative rumors. In South Africa, it will be time for him to grab the headlines for Argentina’s success.

Presently, Maradona may not enjoy total respect from other coaches and players with Barcelona’s Seidou Keita going as far as sarcastically suggesting him to sell newspapers rather than coach the Albicelestes. Just as he did on the last day of the South American 2010 World Cup qualification campaign, Diego Maradona could silence his critics in South Africa. Oh, and maybe there’ll be another ‘Hand of God’ incident to offer luck to the Argentines.


Marcello Lippi, Italy Coach3) Marcello Lippi - Italy

You cannot think about a World Cup without thinking about Italy. In the same order, you cannot talk about world class national team coaches without mentioning Marcello Lippi’s name. The 2006 World Cup winning manager has made the ultimate promise of defending Italy’s colors. After retiring in style following the Azzurri’s Germany 2006 triumph, Marcello Lippi returned to his managerial post in 2008.

He has been applauded for securing Italy's national football team with an automatic spot in the finals of the 2010 World Cup. But the former Juventus and Inter Milan boss is also yet to prove his point on South Africa’s soil. Bluntly, Italy were disastrous at the 2009 Confederations Cup where they participated as World Cup winners representatives. Marcello Lippi is renowned for his calm attitude but it doesn't mean that he doesn't communicate his ideas to his players and voice his answers through results. Playing mind games may not be part of his hobbies; in fact, he has his unique way of leading a team.


4) Carlos Dunga - BrazilCarlos Dunga, Brazil Coach

Carlos Dunga is used to being criticized. Insults are nothing new to his ears, just as much as success seems to be his habit. Whether Brazil play the best football or not, Dunga has led the national team to glory twice over the last three years. The 2007 CONMEBOL title and the 2009 Confederations Cup trophy were acquired under his leadership. Dunga also won the World Cup as a player, just like Argentina’s Diego Maradona. Now, his triumph in South Africa last year surely fed him with even more experience going into the 2010 World Cup.

However, his World Cup roster has come under interrogation. The exclusion of Ronaldo, Adriano, Ronaldinho, and Pato has giving doubts to Brazilian fans concerning the team’s chances during South Africa 2010. Carlos Dunga defended each of his man squad choice to the media afterward. But it’s only during the World Cup that people will see how bad or good his decisions truly are. For another time, Dunga has to prove a point and he’ll surely try to do just that.


Fabio Capello, England Coach5) Fabio Capello - England

He took England’s group by storm during the qualifiers. As an Italian man, he has managed to quiet pro-British fans who opposed his entrance in England as the coach of the Three Lions. His strict rules appear to have made an impact on his players. With Fabio Capello, late clubbing and disgraceful reports like John Terry’s scandal are not allowed.

The 64-year-old boss has been given the task to offer England nothing less than a semifinal finish during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Expect Fabio Capello to be hard on his players with the aim of getting the best out of them. As wise as he seems to be, the classical music and fan arts enthusiast will surely apply all of his knowledge to help England reaffirm their authority on the world’s stage. After all, the football that is being played nowadays and since the 19th century is believed to be their game.

 

 

(Watch out for Part 2 of these analysis soon on LiveSoccerTV.com, your number one source for football. Keep it locked for more info related to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.)