Brazilian legend Zico adds Moraci Sant'anna to coaching staff at FC Goa
Brazilian legend and FC Goa coach Zico has brought Moraci Sant’anna to the club in hopes to improve the team. The 62-year old was unhappy with the mindset of his staff last season and hopes that the addition of Sant’anna will bring about change in his team this year.
Although Zico is a huge presence in the team, he will now have someone to share the spotlight with on the sidelines of the pitch.
Moraci Sant’anna is currently a conditioner with Brazilian side Clube Atlético Paranaense. The 64-year old Brazilian became well known for his work with the Brazilian team. He was part of the team that featured in the 1982 and 1986 World Cup with Tele Santana. His greatest moment though came when he was part of the 1994 World Cup winning squad with Carlos Alberto Parreira.
He has also has had experience working with big European teams like Valencia, Fenerbache, and Olympiacos. He has also helped train the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabian national teams. He was with the UAE in 1990, and Saudi Arabia in 1998.
This won’t be the first time Zico works with Sant’anna though. The Brazilian legend is known for being a fan of the fitness specialist and worked with him on several different occasions. They were together while training Fenerbache, Olympiacos, and Iraq.
Sant’anna though will be more than a fitness coach this time around, he will support Zico as a coach in Goa. Gabriel Miguel, a physiotherapist, the team's physical trainer, Goncalves Willian, and Vannucci Fernando, Zico's assistant coach will all be returning to Zico’s side for the second season of ISL after they were given the all clear.
Zico hopes to solve the problems faced in FC Goa’s staff
The coach felt his staff were not able to comprehend his vision and methods last year, causing the results to turn out the way they had. “They will inspire our players and it's great that they can train under such an impressive coaching staff. At the end of the day, it's all about learning and this is a wonderful opportunity,” said FC Goa’s co-owner Dattaraj Salgaocar, to the Times of India.
FC Goa are also planning to spend their pre-season in Dubai, are rumoured to have a friendly match against Arabian Gulf League third place finishers Al Shabab.
“The pre-season training in Dubai will help the team gel together. The players, coaching staff and support staff will all be together in Dubai and this will give them plenty of time to understand each other. That will be the key. A pre-season away from Goa will also help us scout for good quality opposition in friendlies,” added Salgaocar.