BRASILIA: The management and strategic crisis at the heart of the Brazilian football federation has been laid bare by the resignation of Bebeto youth supremo after a mere 41 days writes KEIR RADNEDGE.

The fault lies not with Bebeto’s departure but his appointment in the first place.

The 1994 World Cup-winning striker was summoned in January by CBF president Jose Maria Marin. Now he has decided he cannot spare the time alongside his roles as a newly-elected MP and as a member of the 2014 World Cup organising committee.

Bebeto, 49, said: “I accepted the role to support football in my country at a difficult time. But I am totally dedicated to the mission I assumed when I was elected as a deputy and, therefore, do not have the time essential for the [football] work.”

Parliamentarian

Marin responded: “My friend Bebeto is an example of good citizenship as a sportsman and an icon for the youth of our country. I understand his reasoning and I am sure he will enjoy a brilliant career as a parliamentarian.”

Marin acted to reorganise the national team youth department after the Olympics last summer when Brazil won ‘only’ silver.

Under-20 coach Ney Franco was allowed to leave the CBF to joinSao Paulo. Successor Emerson Avila railed at a lack of support for the youth system after the South American exit.

Coaching role

Bebeto was appointed, surprising, in January since he had minimal coaching experience. He had bossed only Americain 2010, parting company with the Rio de Janeiro club after just eight games.

His own effective act has been to contract Alexandre Gallo from Nautico as new boss of the under-20 who, owing to last year’s flop, have no matches on the horizon.

By contrast, the under-17s start their own competitive year in the South American junior championship next month.

The under-20s’ squad, last autumn, included Flamengo midfielder Matheus – whose birth Bebeto had celebrated with his famous ‘rocking baby’ goal celebrtation at the 1994 Wlorld Cup.

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