BRA - Big chance comes early for young coach Conti

RIO DE JANEIRO (South American Championship) - Brazil have announced that Paulistano coach Gustavo Antonio De Conti will lead the men's national team at the 45th South American Championship.

Conti, 32, is a former player at Paulistano who joined the club's coaching staff a couple of seasons ago.

He was made head coach when former boss João Marcelo left for Pinheiros.

Conti is seen as a star on the rise in the coaching profession.

"I owe a lot to Paulistano, who gave me opportunities, and the players and the technical committees that worked with me and helped me with the results," Conti said.

As for his appointment, he said: "To me this is a source of great pride and it's a great responsibility.

"Despite my age, I consider myself an expert prepared to take the job because I've only worked with good coaches in Paulistano and the teams that I was in.

"I've only worked with very good people ...

"I was part of the Brazil training set-up with (former coach) Moncho Monsalve and even (Olympic coach) Ruben Magnano.

"Paulistano gave me all the conditions to take courses, clinics and prepare myself for this moment."

Conti has already been in discussions with Magnano, and Vanderlei Mazzuchini Júnior, the director of the selection committee, about the make-up of the squad that will play at the South American Championship (15-22 June) in Argentina.

"I have met with Ruben Magnano and Vanderlei and we talked a lot about names," Conti said.

"Brazil is going to Argentina to fight for the title."

Players that represent Brazil, if they do well, will have a shot at making the country's Olympic squad.


FIBA