Telê Santana

Infobox Football biography
playername = Telê Santana


fullname = Telê Santana da Silva
dateofbirth = birth date|1931|7|26
cityofbirth = Itabirito
countryofbirth = Brazil
dateofdeath = death date and age|2006|04|21|1931|7|26
cityofdeath = Belo Horizonte
countryofdeath = Brazil
height =
position = Right winger
currentclub =
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1951–1960 1960–1962 1963
clubs = Fluminense Guarani Vasco
caps(goals) = 557 (162)
nationalyears =
nationalteam =
nationalcaps(goals) =
manageryears = 1969–1970 1970–1976 1977–1979 1980–1982 1980–1982 1983–1985 1985–1986 1988–1989 1990–1996
managerclubs = Fluminense Atlético Mineiro Grêmio Palmeiras Brazil Al-Ahli Brazil Flamengo São Paulo
pcupdate = August 01, 2008
ntupdate =

Telê Santana da Silva, usually known as Telê Santana (born July 26, 1931 in Itabirito, Minas Gerais - died April 21, 2006 in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais), was a Brazilian football manager and former player.

As a player, his preferred position was right winger. However, he started his career as a goalkeeper.

His career as a manager started in 1967, coaching Fluminense Football Club youth squad. Four years later, Telê led Atlético Mineiro to win the first Brazilian League title. Regarded to have coached one of the best Brazilian national squads in 1982 FIFA World Cup and 1986 FIFA World Cup, however, he failed to win the tournament in both occasions. He is also well known as the manager responsible for the 1992 and 1993 São Paulo Copa Libertadores de América and Intercontinental Cup titles. In 1996, he had to retire, because he was suffering from ischemia.

In 2003, he had part of his left leg amputated after suffering of ischemia in his left foot. He was operated at Hospital Felício Roxo, in Belo Horizonte. [ [http://revistaepoca.globo.com/Epoca/0,6993,EPT650528-1664,00.html Telê Santana tem parte de perna amputada - Revista Época (December 22, 2003)] (retrieved on August 22]

Santana died on April 21, 2006, due to an abdominal infection. [ [http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/esporte/ult92u100072.shtml Morre em Belo Horizonte o ex-técnico da seleção Telê Santana - Folha Online (April 21, 2006)] (retrieved on August 22, 2006)] His body was buried at Cemitério Parque da Colina, in Belo Horizonte. [ [http://www.estadao.com.br/esportes/futebol/noticias/2006/abr/21/138.htm Telê será enterrado na manhã deste sábado - Estadão (April 21, 2006)] (retrieved on August 22, 2006)]

Santana is widely credited for the invention of the "jogo bonito" ("beautiful game" in Portuguese) by the vast majority of the Brazilian press. His full attack mentality of play was best displayed with the 1982 Brazilian national squad who fell 3-2 to Italy in the Second Round of the Cup. [ [http://economia.eluniversal.com/2006/04/22/futb_art_22306F.shtml Murió Telê Santana artífice del Juego Bonito brasileño - El Universal (April 22, 2006)] (retrieved on August 22, 2006)] Santana was criticized by most for refusing to switch Brazil's style of play versus Italy since Brazil only needed to tie the game to reach the Semifinals due to the original World Cup set up at the time. Many still feel that Santana should have placed more emphasis on defense and a counter attack strategy due to circumstances of the match. Regardless of the fact that Santana never lead the Brazilian squad to glory he is still regarded as one of greatest coaches and innovators in the history of Brazilian football. [ [http://www.camisa12.esp.br/colunas/aizac/2005/1060,2,050321.asp Telê gosta de atacar - Camisa 12] (retrieved on August 22, 2006)]

Playing career

He played for clubs such as Fluminense, Guarani, Madureira and Vasco. He was also a reserve player of the Brazil national football team.

Managerial career

*1969-1970 - Fluminense
*1970-1976 - Atlético Mineiro
*1977-1979 - Grêmio
*1980-1982 - Palmeiras
*1982 - Brazil
*1983-1985 - Al-Ahli (Saudi Arabia)
*1986 - Brazil
*1988-1989 - Flamengo
*1990-1996 - São Paulo

Titles as a manager

*1969 - Taça Guanabara and Campeonato Carioca (Fluminense)
*1970 - Campeonato Mineiro (Atlético Mineiro)
*1971 - Campeonato Brasileiro Série A (Atlético Mineiro)
*1977 - Campeonato Gaúcho (Grêmio)
*1983 - Saudi Arabia League and Persian Gulf Cup (Al Ahly)
*1984 - Saudi Arabia Cup (Al Ahly)
*1985 - Persian Gulf Cup (Al Ahly)
*1988 - Campeonato Mineiro (Atlético Mineiro)
*1991 - Campeonato Brasileiro (São Paulo)
*1991-1992 - Campeonato Paulista (São Paulo)
*1992-1993 - Copa Libertadores de América and Intercontinental Cup (São Paulo)
*1993 - Supercopa Sudamericana (São Paulo)
*1993-1994 - Recopa Sudamericana (São Paulo)
*1994 - Copa CONMEBOL (São Paulo)

References

Websites

Books

*"Enciclopédia do Futebol Brasileiro", Volume 2 - Lance, Rio de Janeiro: Aretê Editorial S/A, 2001.