Second Acts and comebacks, Part Six

1- Daniel Bravo and Paris St. Germain 1994/96

Former France forward Daniel Bravo’s career seemed to be winding down at Paris St. Germain. He was once seen as France’s future bright hope, but had not met expectations. Once, Luis Fernandez took over at Paris St. Germain in 1994, he switched Bravo’s position to defensive midfielder. He excelled in his new position to such an extent that after PSG eliminated Parma in the 1995/96 Cup Winners Cup, Parma’s Hristo Stoichkov declared him as the best defensive midfielder in Europe.

His reward was a move to Parma at the end of that season.

Photo From:  Onze-Mondial, Issue 93, October 1996

(Daniel Bravo at Parma, 1996/97)

2- Giuseppe Galderisi and Verona 1983/86

Italian striker Giuseppe Galderisi was considered a hope for the future while at Juventus in the early 1980s. However, he was unable to make headway in the star studded squad of  Giovanni Trappatoni. In 1983, he joined Osvaldo Bagnoli’s ambitious Verona squad. In 1984/85, he was one of the key elements of the Scudetto winning side and earned a way into the National team. He was able to make the 1986 World Cup Finals squad.

Photo From:  Calcio 2000, Issue 20, June 1999

(Giuseppe Galderisi at Verona)

3- Otto Rehhagel and Kaiserslautern 1996/2000 and Greece 2001

German Manager Otto Rehhagel’s career seemed to be over after being sacked at Bayern Munich in 1996. He surprisingly joined the relegated squad of Kaiserslautern.

After earning promotion in 1997, he surprised all by winning the Bundesliga title with Kaiserslautern in 1998 as a newly promoted team.

After his Kaiserslautern adventure, many considered his appointment as Greece Manager as pre-retirement. However, he once again surprised everyone by leading his team to victory in the 2004 UEFA European Championships.

Photo From:  World Soccer, November 1998

(Otto Rehhagel with the 1997/98 Bundesliga Trophy with Kaiserslautern)

4- Iomar Mazinho and Palmeiras/Brazil 1994

Brazilian defender Iomar Mazinho had been one of the heroes of the 1989 Copa America victory.

His transfer to Italy (Lecce and then Fiorentina) in 1990 had not been a success and had in the meantime lost his spot on the National team.

His move back to Brazil at big spending Palmeiras was just what he needed.

He slowly made his way back into the national team in time for the 1994 World Cup. In the World Cup itself, he established himself as a starter in the second round and won the World Cup.

At the end of the World Cup, he went back to Europe and rejoined his World Cup Manager Carlos Alberto Pareira at Valencia.

Photo From:  World Soccer, July 1991

(Iomar Mazinho)

5- Michel Dewolf and Belgium, 1993/94

Veteran Belgium and Anderlecht defender Michel Dewolf had retired from the National Team in 1991 after years of solid service.

He was persuaded by national Team Manager Paul van Himst to make an emergency presence for Belgium’s key World Cup qualifier on November 17, 1993 (vs. Representation of Czechs and Slovaks). Belgium managed a goalless draw to qualify for the World Cup with Dewolf being a key presence at the back.

His display earned him a place in Belgium’s Finals squad for the 1994 World Cup.

Photo From:  Le Dictionnaire des Diables Rouges

(Michel De Wolf , June 25, World Cup, Belgium 1-Holland 0)