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Brazil axes coaches, France gets a new boss

The Brazilian Soccer Confederation on Monday dismissed national team coach Mario Zagallo and the entire coaching staff that attended the national squad during the recent World Cup in France.

"The saga will continue, and you'll have the last installment when they name the new coach," Zagallo told reporters.

The promised instalment is slated for August 31, when the new coach is named.

It did seem a bit of hard lines for Zagallo, who has coached the national team over 148 games in two terms, with a record reading 107 victories, 29 ties and just 12 losses.

He started out with the team in 1970, coaching Brazil to a 5-0 win in the Mexico World Cup that year, going on to help his side take the title.

He then took over after the 1994 World Cup, during which he was assistant coach.

Meanwhile, Roger Lemerre edged out Jean Tigana for the number one job in French soccer, being named the national coach.

Lemerre takes over from chief coach Aime Jacquet, who quit after leading the side to the world title on July 12. Lemerre was Jacquet's assistant during the recent World Cup.

"I am honoured," said the 57 year old Lemerre. "I think the position is prestigious, but it is also somewhat perilous."

Lemerre has six French caps as player, between 1968 and 1971, before a rather ordinary coaching career at Red Star, Lens, Paris FC, Strasbourg and with the Tunisian youth team.

He has also coached the French army soccer side for ten years now, and won the World Military title in 1995.

Tigana, member of Michel Platini's famous 1980s side, is now coaching Monaco and was tipped to take over the top job in his native country, but French soccer bosses opted instead for continuity, picking Jacquet's assistant to replace him.

His two year contract will see Lemerre coaching the side through the 2000 European Championships.

France's next outing is an exhibition, against Austria at Vienna, on August 19. The first full-fledged international with Lemerre in charge will be a European Championship qualifier on September 5.