Mirandinha wants to be Toon coach

By Matthew Jones
August 22 2002

Right, listen up. Mirandinha was the first Brazilian to play English football and now he wants to return to Newcastle to be coach.

Right, listen up. Mirandinha was the first Brazilian to play English football and now he wants to return to Newcastle to be coach.

Mirandinha hoped to take in the match against West Ham but missed the game because of a train delay (another demonstration of the state of the rail system in this country), and was gutted to miss Lomana Lua Lua's super show.

But Freddie Shepherd gave him, and his new wife, a tour of the ground on Tuesday and the Brazilian couldn't believe the changes.

MIRANDINHA: "I have lovely memories of Newcastle, and I loved playing here. But the stadium is unbelievable now. Far better than my days, and I wish I could have played here as it is now.

"I have coached my son and he is looking to be a very good player. I want him to come to England and play for Newcastle. Who knows?

"But I would like to be coach here and train the players to play like Brazilians. But the 4-0 win against West Ham shows they probably play that way already."