1. Overview
Valdeir Vieira, known by his nickname Badú, born on July 11, 1944, in Marília, São Paulo, Brazil, is a highly experienced Brazilian football manager and former player. His career spans several decades, taking him across South America, the Middle East, and Asia, where he achieved notable successes with both clubs and national teams. Vieira is particularly recognized for his coaching prowess, having led the Iran national football team to qualify for the 1998 FIFA World Cup and securing multiple league and cup titles with various clubs. His journey from a promising futsal player to an international football strategist underscores his deep commitment to the sport, marked by a continuous pursuit of knowledge, including studies in sports science in Germany.
2. Early Life and Playing Career
Valdeir Vieira's foundational experiences in football began in his early life, leading him through a playing career that laid the groundwork for his future in management.
2.1. Birth and Early Life
Valdeir Vieira was born on July 11, 1944, in Marília, São Paulo, Brazil. His early immersion in the Brazilian football scene, particularly the expanding futsal environment of the 1960s, was instrumental in shaping his skills and earning him his distinctive nickname. It was from his indoor futsal days that Vieira acquired the moniker "BadúBadúPortuguese," a term describing a specific and skillful way of scoring a goal.
2.2. Playing Career
Vieira's professional playing career began at the age of 17 when he signed his first contract with Dracena F.C., then a second-division club. Two years later, he transitioned to first-division football, playing as an attacker for CE Aymoré - São Leopoldo. Notably, during his time at CE Aymoré, Luiz Felipe Scolari, who would later become a renowned manager, was beginning his career as a defender in the youth team.
Vieira's playing career also extended internationally, making him a pioneer as the first Brazilian to play for specific clubs in various countries. He played for Central Español in Uruguay (1966-1967), Cercle Brugge in Belgium (1967), Hibernians F.C. in Malta (1967-1968), and Croissant Club de Sig in Algeria (1968-1970). Prior to his international ventures, he also played for Tupi Paulista from 1958 to 1963 and CE Aymore G.E.R Passo Fundo in 1966. His playing career was eventually hampered by injuries, leading him to finish his active playing days in non-league football in Germany.
2.3. Transition to Management
Following his playing career, Valdeir Vieira's interest shifted towards the academic and strategic aspects of sports. This intellectual curiosity led him to study the sciences of sports, including attending the German Sport University Cologne in the late 1970s. It was during this period that he delved into coaching theories, laying the foundation for his extensive managerial career. At the German Sport University Cologne, he studied alongside figures such as Hidetaka Zobel, further solidifying his theoretical understanding of football management.
3. Coaching Career
Valdeir Vieira's coaching career is marked by a wide array of experiences across different continents and with various levels of clubs and national teams, culminating in significant achievements.
3.1. Early Coaching and Club Management
Vieira's early managerial assignments began in the late 1980s. He managed Caracas F.C. in Venezuela from 1987 to 1988, followed by a tenure with Deportivo Italia (now Deportivo Petare F.C.) from 1989 to 1990. He then coached clubs in his home country, Brazil, including Blumenau Esporte Clube from 1991 to 1992 and Brusque Futebol Clube from 1992 to 1994.
His club management career further expanded into Costa Rica, where he led L.D. Alajuelense from 1994 to 1996 and Deportivo Saprissa from 2000 to 2001. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, Vieira also coached clubs in the Middle East and North Africa, including Al-Ta'ee in Saudi Arabia in 1999, Al-Khaleej in Saudi Arabia in 2000, and Raja Casablanca in Morocco in 2000. He had two distinct tenures with Al-Arabi Kuwait, first from July 2001 to August 2003, and again from November 2005 to June 2006. Between these periods, he managed Dhofar Club in Oman from 2003 to 2005. Later, from 2010 to 2013, he managed Bahrain SC in Bahrain and Al-Ramtha SC in Jordan in 2013, participating in the AFC Cup 2013 with the latter.
3.2. National Team Management
Vieira has also notably served as a national team coach for several countries, contributing significantly to their international campaigns. He managed the Costa Rica national football team from April 1996 to January 1997. Following this, he took the helm of the Iran national football team in 1997, a period during which he achieved one of his most significant career accomplishments. After his stint with Iran, he coached the Oman national football team from March 1998 to July 1999.
3.2.1. Iran National Team and World Cup Qualification
Valdeir Vieira's tenure as the manager of the Iran national football team was particularly impactful, as he successfully guided them through the Asian qualifiers to secure a spot in the 1998 FIFA World Cup. This qualification was achieved under challenging circumstances, demonstrating Vieira's ability to navigate high-stakes international competition.
In the final stages of the Asian qualifiers, Iran faced Japan in a crucial third-place playoff match in Johor Bahru, often referred to as the "Joy of Johor Bahru" from the Japanese perspective, where Iran lost. Despite this setback, Vieira's team still had an opportunity to qualify through an inter-continental play-off against the Australia national team. In a dramatic two-legged tie, Iran emerged victorious, clinching their place in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, a testament to Vieira's tactical guidance and the team's resilience. He managed the Iran team from October 1997 to February 1998 during this crucial period.
3.3. Asian Club Management
Vieira's experience in Asia extends beyond national teams to club management, particularly in Kuwait and Japan.
In Kuwait, his second spell with Al-Arabi Kuwait from November 2005 to June 2006 saw him secure the Emir Cup in 2006, contributing to the club's second consecutive title in that competition. He also led Al-Arabi Kuwait in the 2006 AFC Champions League.
His foray into Japanese football began in July 2006 when he was appointed manager of Nagano Elza Soccer Club, which later became AC Nagano Parceiro. He managed the club until December 2009, during which time he led them to significant achievements, including winning the Hokushin'etsu Regional League Division 1 in 2008 and the Japan National Amateur Champions title in the same year. In 2009, the club finished as runners-up in the Hokushin'etsu Regional League Division 1.
3.3.1. Kyoto Sanga FC Tenure and Departure
On December 28, 2013, Valdeir Vieira was appointed manager of Kyoto Sanga FC, a club in Japan's J2 League. During his time with Kyoto Sanga FC, he made a notable personal decision regarding his public name. While he had historically been referred to by his family name, "Vieira" or "Vieira," the club officially began using his lifelong nickname, "BadúBadúPortuguese," for his name. This change reflected a desire to use a more personal and familiar appellation, which he had carried since childhood.
Despite this new chapter, his tenure at Kyoto Sanga FC was relatively short-lived. He managed the team until June 18, 2014, when he resigned from his position due to poor results. The club's performance under his leadership did not meet expectations, leading to his departure.
4. Managerial Statistics
The following table presents Valdeir Vieira's managerial statistics for specific clubs and national teams where data is available:
| Team | From | To | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | Win % | |||
| Iran | 1997 | 1997 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0% |
| Kyoto Sanga FC | 2014 | 2014 | 18 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 38.89% |
| Total | 21 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 33.33% | ||
5. Honours
Valdeir Vieira has accumulated several honours throughout his distinguished career as both a player and, predominantly, as a manager.
Individual Honours
- 1987 Venezuela Coach of the Year
- 1992 Best Newcomer in the Campeonato Catarinense (Brazil)
- 1995 Best foreign coach in Costa Rica
Team Honours (as Manager)
- Caracas F.C.
- Copa Venezuela: 1988
- L.D. Alajuelense
- Costa Rican Primera División: 1995-96, 1996-97
- Copa Interclubes UNCAF: 1996
- Al-Arabi Kuwait
- Kuwaiti Premier League: 2001-02
- Al Kurafi Cup: 2001-02
- Gulf Club Champions Cup: 2003
- Kuwait Emir Cup: 2006
- AC Nagano Parceiro
- Hokushin'etsu Regional Football League Division 1: 2008
- Japan National Amateur Champions: 2008
- Bahrain SC
- Bahrain 2nd Division: 2010-11
6. Assessment and Legacy
Valdeir Vieira's career has left a significant mark on the football landscape, particularly through his coaching philosophy and achievements.
6.1. Major Achievements and Positive Appraisal
Valdeir Vieira is widely recognized for his substantial contributions to football development across various regions. His most acclaimed achievement is leading the Iran national football team to qualify for the 1998 FIFA World Cup. This success showcased his ability to transform a team under pressure and overcome significant hurdles, securing a place on the global stage. This accomplishment underscored his tactical acumen and his capacity to motivate players to perform at their peak in critical moments.
Beyond national team success, Vieira's impact on club football is evident in the numerous titles he secured. With L.D. Alajuelense in Costa Rica, he demonstrated consistency by winning the Costa Rican Primera División twice in consecutive seasons (1995-96 and 1996-97) and the Copa Interclubes UNCAF. His tenures at Al-Arabi Kuwait were also highly productive, yielding a Kuwaiti Premier League title, two domestic cups (Al Kurafi Cup, Kuwait Emir Cup), and a regional championship (Gulf Club Champions Cup). These successes highlight his capacity to build winning teams and sustain high performance over time in competitive leagues.
Furthermore, Vieira's work with AC Nagano Parceiro in Japan exemplified his commitment to developing clubs. He guided them to win the Hokushin'etsu Regional Football League Division 1 and the Japan National Amateur Champions title in 2008, contributing to the club's growth and competitive standing. His innovative approach, rooted in his academic studies of sports science, allowed him to adapt to diverse football cultures and environments, leaving a positive legacy on the teams and players he coached.
6.2. Criticisms and Controversies
While Valdeir Vieira's career is largely marked by success, it also includes periods that drew critical scrutiny, primarily related to team performance. The most notable instance of controversy or criticism during his coaching career occurred during his brief tenure as manager of Kyoto Sanga FC in Japan. Appointed in December 2013, he resigned from his position on June 18, 2014, due to what was officially stated as "poor results." This outcome indicates that despite his experience and previous successes, Vieira faced challenges in adapting to or delivering the required performance for the Japanese club at that specific time. Such a departure, though not uncommon in football management, represented a less successful chapter in his otherwise distinguished coaching journey.