Chalana fills in at Benfica helm
Monday, March 10, 2008
Article summary
SL Benfica assistant coach Fernando Chalana will be the Portuguese club's head coach until the end of the season after the departure of José Antonio Camacho.
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Camacho resignation
Spaniard Camacho, who had only arrived for his second spell in charge of the Lisbon team in August, tendered his resignation after Benfica could only draw 2-2 at home to bottom side UD Leiria on Sunday. That result followed the Eagles' 2-1 home defeat by Getafe CF in the UEFA Cup last Thursday, and Chalana will be asked to turn around the Round of 16 tie in Wednesday's second leg in Spain. "Due to the shortage of time until the end of the season, we have decided to give the reins to Fernando Chalana, a man who needs no introduction," said Benfica president Luís Filipe Vieira.
Benfica pedigree
Chalana won 27 caps for Portugal during an illustrious playing career, spending nine seasons at Benfica from 1975/76 to 1983/84 – a period that included a UEFA Cup final appearance against RSC Anderlecht in 1982/83. Following a spell in France with FC Girondins de Bordeaux he returned to the Estádio da Luz for a further four campaigns. He takes his first role as a head coach with Benfica second in the Liga, 14 points behind leaders FC Porto.