Saudi Arabia was the first team knocked out of the World Cup this year. So it made Carlos Alberto Parreira the first coach fired.
Parreira, who led his native Brazil to its fourth world title in 1994, was released by the Saudis after shutout losses to Denmark and France."The Saudis were expecting a better result," Parreira said after a meeting in Paris with Saudi sports officials, who told him he was out. "As of now we are no longer with the Saudi team."
"I don't feel happy and I don't feel comfortable with the decision taken by the Saudi officials. At least they should have let us continue until the end of the World Cup . . . should at least give more time for the coach and players to get used to each other," he said.
Parreira, who left the MetroStars of MLS in the middle of a two-year deal to work for Saudi Arabia, was the eighth coach sacked by the Saudis in less than four years. He signed a one-year contract with the Saudi federation in December for a reported $3 million.
Saudi Arabia lost its first two matches, 1-0 to Denmark and 4-0 to host France. The team plays Wednesday against South Africa. Mohammed al-Khuraishi, a Saudi coach, will direct the team at that match.
The decision to fire him was taken by the Saudi soccer federation after it met in Paris late Friday.
Parreira said he had "very good relations with the Saudi players." Several were seen hugging him just before was driven to the Paris hotel and was told of his release. But none was available to comment after he returned to the team hotel.
Parreira said he would weigh offers from three national teams and several clubs, but he didn't name any.
The Brazilian said the reason given for his dismissal was their "very high expectations - at least to repeat what they had done in the last World Cup, to reach the second round." In 1994, Saudi Arabia became the only Persian Gulf team to reach the second round of the World Cup.