Brazilian football (soccer) coach and former player. Born in Itabirito, Minas Gerais, as a player he was a forward though he had started as a goalkeeper. He began coaching in 1967 with Fluminense's youth team, a club where he had been left winger. He also conducted the Brazilian national team in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups, but failed to obtain these championships, however, being the team defeated by Italy with a 3-2 score in Spain 1982 and in penalties by France in Mexico 1986, after a very exciting game that had finished in a draw. In spite of these results, his formations showed his offensive tactics and fair play, and Santana is considered one of the architects of Brazil's "jogo bonito" (beautiful play). With this style he was able to lead Sao Paulo team to the championships of 1991 and 1992, then to the obtention of the Copa Libertadores de América in 1992 and 1993, and to the International Cup those same years. He won other leagues with Athletic Mineiro, Fluminense and Union. In 1996 he was diagnosed with a cerebral ischemia and he was forced to leave football. His health deteriorated. In 2003 he suffered the partial amputation of a leg, and on March 25, 2006 he was hospitalized in Belo Horizonte due to an abdominal infection,passing away some days later.
Brazilian football (soccer) coach and former player. Born in Itabirito, Minas Gerais, as a player he was a forward though he had started as a goalkeeper. He began coaching in 1967 with Fluminense's youth team, a club where he had been left winger. He also conducted the Brazilian national team in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups, but failed to obtain these championships, however, being the team defeated by Italy with a 3-2 score in Spain 1982 and in penalties by France in Mexico 1986, after a very exciting game that had finished in a draw. In spite of these results, his formations showed his offensive tactics and fair play, and Santana is considered one of the architects of Brazil's "jogo bonito" (beautiful play). With this style he was able to lead Sao Paulo team to the championships of 1991 and 1992, then to the obtention of the Copa Libertadores de América in 1992 and 1993, and to the International Cup those same years. He won other leagues with Athletic Mineiro, Fluminense and Union. In 1996 he was diagnosed with a cerebral ischemia and he was forced to leave football. His health deteriorated. In 2003 he suffered the partial amputation of a leg, and on March 25, 2006 he was hospitalized in Belo Horizonte due to an abdominal infection,passing away some days later.
Bio by: Nes Pagani
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