Fernando Chalana

Fernando Chalana

Personal information
Full name	Fernando Albino Sousa Chalana
Date of birth	February 10, 1959 (1959-02-10) (age 52)
Place of birth	Barreiro, Portugal
Height	1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)
Playing position	Winger
Youth career
1973–1974	Barreirense
1974–1976	Benfica
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1976–1984	Benfica	193	(32)
1984–1987	Bordeaux	12	(1)
1987–1990	Benfica	32	(4)
1990–1991	Belenenses	13	(0)
1991–1992	Estrela Amadora	9	(1)
National team
1976–1988	Portugal	27	(2)
Teams managed
2003–2004	Paços Ferreira (assistant)
2004–2005	Oriental
2005–2009	Benfica (assistant)
2008	Benfica
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Fernando Albino de Sousa Chalana (Portuguese pronunciation: [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.

Football career

Born in Barreiro, Setúbal District, Chalana began his football career at F.C. Barreirense, then moved to Lisbon 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^[1] 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.^[2]

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.^[3] 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.^[4] 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.

Fernando Chalana: International goals

Goal	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	5 December 1976	Tsirion Stadium, Limassol, Cyprus	Cyprus	0–1	0–2	1978 World Cup qualification
2	16 November 1977	Estádio de São Luís, Faro, Portugal	Cyprus	2–0	4–0	1978 World Cup qualification

Honours

Team

• Portuguese League: 1975–76, 1976–77, 1980–81, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1988–89
• Portuguese Cup: 1979–80, 1980–81, 1982–83
• Portuguese Supercup: 1979, 1988
• French League: 1984–85

Individual

• Portuguese Footballer of the Year: 1976, 1984

Personal

Other than his main nickname, Chalana was also dubbed Astérix, Chalanix (as his moustache resembled the comic character) and Cyrano de Bergerac (because of his nose).

References

1. ^ "Portugal classic recalled". UEFA.com. 25 January 2002. http://www.uefa.com/magazine/news/kind=32/newsid=15965.html. Retrieved 23 December 2009. ^{[dead link]}
2. ^ EURO's greatest games; UEFA.com, 24 June 2008
3. ^ Pierrend, José Luis (28 May 2009). "Portugal - Record International Players". RSSSF. http://rsssf.com/miscellaneous/port-recintlp.html. Retrieved 25 August 2009. 
4. ^ "Chalana fills in at Benfica helm". UEFA.com. 10 March 2008. http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=670524.html. Retrieved 23 December 2009. 

External links

• Stats and profile at Zerozero
• Stats at ForaDeJogo (Portuguese)
• Fernando Chalana at National-Football-Teams.com

Persondata
Name	Chalana, Fernando
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	10 February 1959
Place of birth	Barreiro, Portugal
Date of death
Place of death