Fernando Chalana
Encyclopedia
Fernando Albino de Sousa Chalana (fɨɾˈnɐ̃ðu ʃɐˈlɐnɐ; born 10 February 1959) is a retired Portuguese
professional footballer and manager
.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest talents in national football, among the likes of Eusébio
, Cristiano Ronaldo
, Luís Figo
and Rui Costa
, the diminutive winger's main asset was his above-average ball control and dribbling skills.
His career, highly troubled by injuries, was mainly spent at Sport Lisboa e Benfica, where he also later worked as a manager. Prior to his physical problems, he was one the leading figures at UEFA Euro 1984, helping Portugal
to the semifinals.
neighbours and national powerhouse S.L. Benfica in 1974, where he established himself for the following eight years, scoring and assisting
alike as he helped the Reds conquer, amongst other accolades, five leagues
and three cups
.
Aged only 17 (fourth youngest ever), on November 17, 1976, Chalana won his first cap
for the national team
, against Denmark
, for the 1978 FIFA World Cup
qualifiers
.
The peak of his career took place precisely on the international front, at UEFA Euro 1984, in France
; there, the Little Genius was one the team's leading figures, excelling in dribbling throughout the tournament, notably in the 2–3 semifinal loss against the hosts
, setting up both goals for Rui Jordão
.
Moving to club in that country after the tournament, FC Girondins de Bordeaux
, Chalana failed to impress in three full years, mainly due to persistent injuries. In 1987, he returned to Benfica, never being able to reproduce his previous form; his last international cap was a friendly with Sweden
on 12 November 1988, which finished with a goalless draw. He wrapped his career at 33, with one (unassuming) season apiece with Lisbon-based C.F. Os Belenenses and C.F. Estrela da Amadora, the latter in the second division
.
In 1999–2000, Chalana coached the juniors of Benfica, winning the title team and was the champion. Three years later, he had his first coaching experience, assisting at modest F.C. Paços de Ferreira, in an eventual top flight relegation as 17th.
For the following years, Chalana served as assistant to several coaches at Benfica. However, in March 2008 he replaced José Antonio Camacho
after the Spaniard
was dismissed. In 2002, he had already had a one-game spell as interim, filling in for sacked Jesualdo Ferreira
- days before precisely Camacho arrived; in that match, he placed winger Miguel
as a right back, where he ultimately gained worldwide recognition.
After one more season as assistant, now to Quique Flores, Chalana returned to coaching the junior side.
, Chalana was also dubbed Astérix
, Chalanix (as his moustache
resembled the comic character) and Cyrano de Bergerac
(because of his nose
).
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
professional footballer and manager
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest talents in national football, among the likes of Eusébio
Eusébio
Eusébio da Silva Ferreira, GCIH, GCM , commonly known simply as Eusébio, is a retired Mozambican-born Portuguese football forward. He is considered one of the best footballers of all-time by the IFFHS, experts and fans...
, Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, OIH, , commonly known as Cristiano Ronaldo, is a Portuguese footballer who plays as a winger or striker for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and is the captain of the Portuguese national team...
, Luís Figo
Luís Figo
Luís Filipe Madeira Caeiro Figo, OIH, is a Portuguese former international footballer. He played as a midfielder for Sporting CP, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Internazionale, during a career which spanned over a period of 20 years. He retired from football on 31 May 2009...
and Rui Costa
Rui Costa
Rui Manuel César Costa, OIH is a former Portuguese football player and current Director of Football for Sport Lisboa e Benfica. An attacking midfielder also capable of playing as a deep-seated defensive midfielder, he most recently played for Portuguese club Benfica...
, the diminutive winger's main asset was his above-average ball control and dribbling skills.
His career, highly troubled by injuries, was mainly spent at Sport Lisboa e Benfica, where he also later worked as a manager. Prior to his physical problems, he was one the leading figures at UEFA Euro 1984, helping Portugal
Portugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
to the semifinals.
Football career
Born in Barreiro, Setúbal District, Chalana began his football career at F.C. Barreirense, then moved to LisbonLisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
neighbours and national powerhouse S.L. Benfica in 1974, where he established himself for the following eight years, scoring and assisting
Assist (football)
In association football, an assist is a contribution by a player which helps to score a goal. Statistics for assists made by players may be kept officially by the organisers of a competition, or unofficially by, for example, journalists or organisers of fantasy football competitions...
alike as he helped the Reds conquer, amongst other accolades, five leagues
Portuguese Liga
The Primeira Liga , formerly called Primeira Divisão, currently named Liga ZON Sagres after their main sponsors, is the top professional association football division of the Portuguese football league system...
and three cups
Taça de Portugal
The Taça de Portugal is the main Portuguese national football knock-out competition. The tournament has been officially known as the Taça de Portugal Millennium since 2008, due to its sponsorship by Portuguese private bank Millennium BCP. It has occurred on a yearly basis since 1938 and is...
.
Aged only 17 (fourth youngest ever), on November 17, 1976, Chalana won his first cap
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
for the national team
Portugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
, against Denmark
Denmark national football team
The Denmark national football team represents Denmark in association football and is controlled by the Danish Football Association , the governing body for the football clubs which are organized under DBU...
, for the 1978 FIFA World Cup
1978 FIFA World Cup
The 1978 FIFA World Cup, the 11th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in Argentina between 1 June and 25 June. The 1978 World Cup was won by Argentina who beat the Netherlands 3–1 after extra time in the final. This win was the first World Cup title for Argentina, who became the fifth...
qualifiers
1978 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)
Listed below are the dates and results for the 1978 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for the European zone . For an overview of the qualification rounds, see the article 1978 FIFA World Cup qualification....
.
The peak of his career took place precisely on the international front, at UEFA Euro 1984, in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
; there, the Little Genius was one the team's leading figures, excelling in dribbling throughout the tournament, notably in the 2–3 semifinal loss against the hosts
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
, setting up both goals for Rui Jordão
Rui Jordão
Rui Manuel Trindade Jordão is a retired Portuguese footballer.One of the most prolific strikers in the history of Portuguese football, his career was mainly associated with two of the biggest clubs in the country, Benfica and Sporting, winning the Silver Ball award twice, once with each...
.
Moving to club in that country after the tournament, FC Girondins de Bordeaux
FC Girondins de Bordeaux
Football Club des Girondins de Bordeaux is a French association football club based in the city of Bordeaux. The club currently play in Ligue 1, the first division of French football, and won its last Ligue 1 title in the 2008–09 season....
, Chalana failed to impress in three full years, mainly due to persistent injuries. In 1987, he returned to Benfica, never being able to reproduce his previous form; his last international cap was a friendly with Sweden
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
on 12 November 1988, which finished with a goalless draw. He wrapped his career at 33, with one (unassuming) season apiece with Lisbon-based C.F. Os Belenenses and C.F. Estrela da Amadora, the latter in the second division
Liga de Honra
The Liga de Honra , known for sponsorship reasons as the Liga Orangina, is the Portuguese second level football league. It was formerly called Segunda Divisão and Segunda Divisão de Honra . When the LPFP took control of the two nationwide levels, it was renamed Segunda Liga, before renaming it...
.
In 1999–2000, Chalana coached the juniors of Benfica, winning the title team and was the champion. Three years later, he had his first coaching experience, assisting at modest F.C. Paços de Ferreira, in an eventual top flight relegation as 17th.
For the following years, Chalana served as assistant to several coaches at Benfica. However, in March 2008 he replaced José Antonio Camacho
José Antonio Camacho
José Antonio Camacho Alfaro is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a left defender, and the current coach of the China PR national football team....
after the Spaniard
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
was dismissed. In 2002, he had already had a one-game spell as interim, filling in for sacked Jesualdo Ferreira
Jesualdo Ferreira
Manuel Jesualdo Ferreira is a Portuguese football manager who currently manages Greek club Panathinaikos.-Early career:In Ferreira's early career, he managed Rio Maior and Torreense...
- days before precisely Camacho arrived; in that match, he placed winger Miguel
Miguel Monteiro
Luís Miguel Brito Garcia Monteiro, simply Miguel , OIH , is a Portuguese footballer who plays for Valencia CF in Spain, mainly as a right defender.-Early years / Benfica:...
as a right back, where he ultimately gained worldwide recognition.
After one more season as assistant, now to Quique Flores, Chalana returned to coaching the junior side.
Team
- Portuguese League: 1975–76, 1976–77, 1980–81, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1988–89
- Portuguese CupTaça de PortugalThe Taça de Portugal is the main Portuguese national football knock-out competition. The tournament has been officially known as the Taça de Portugal Millennium since 2008, due to its sponsorship by Portuguese private bank Millennium BCP. It has occurred on a yearly basis since 1938 and is...
: 1979–80, 1980–81, 1982–83 - Portuguese Supercup: 1979, 1988
- French LeagueLigue 1Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
: 1984–85
Personal
Other than his main nicknameNickname
A nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
, Chalana was also dubbed Astérix
Asterix
Asterix or The Adventures of Asterix is a series of French comic books written by René Goscinny and illustrated by Albert Uderzo . The series first appeared in French in the magazine Pilote on October 29, 1959...
, Chalanix (as his moustache
Moustache
A moustache is facial hair grown on the outer surface of the upper lip. It may or may not be accompanied by a type of beard, a facial hair style grown and cropped to cover most of the lower half of the face.-Etymology:...
resembled the comic character) and Cyrano de Bergerac
Cyrano de Bergerac
Hercule-Savinien de Cyrano de Bergerac was a French dramatist and duelist. He is now best remembered for the works of fiction which have been woven, often very loosely, around his life story, most notably the 1897 play by Edmond Rostand...
(because of his nose
Human nose
The visible part of the human nose is the protruding part of the face that bears the nostrils. The shape of the nose is determined by the ethmoid bone and the nasal septum, which consists mostly of cartilage and which separates the nostrils...
).