Jair Bala Explained

Jair Bala
Fullname:Jair Félix da Silva
Birth Date:10 May 1943
Birth Place:Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, Brazil
Death Place:Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Position:Left winger
Height:1.80 m
Youthyears1:1953–1959
Youthclubs1:Estrela do Norte
Years1:1960–1962
Years2:1963
Years3:1964–1965
Years4:1965–1966
Years5:1967
Years6:1968–1969
Years7:1969
Years8:1970–1972
Years9:1972–1973
Manageryears1:1976
Manageryears2:1978–1979
Managerclubs2:América Mineiro
Manageryears3:1979–1980
Managerclubs3:Londrina
Manageryears4:1981–1982
Managerclubs4:Comercial-SP
Manageryears5:1982–1985
Managerclubs5:América Mineiro
Manageryears6:1985
Managerclubs6:Grêmio Maringá
Manageryears7:1986
Managerclubs7:Cruzeiro
Manageryears8:1986–1988
Managerclubs8:América Mineiro
Manageryears9:1989
Managerclubs9:Esportivo-MG
Manageryears10:1990
Managerclubs10:Caldense
Manageryears11:1992–1993
Managerclubs11:Valerio
Manageryears12:1994
Managerclubs12:Mamoré
Manageryears13:1995
Managerclubs13:Democrata-GV
Manageryears14:1996
Managerclubs14:URT
Manageryears15:1996
Managerclubs15:Valerio
Manageryears16:2002
Managerclubs16:Mamoré
Pcupdate:13 February 2024

Jair Félix da Silva (10 May 1943 – 27 December 2022), better known as Jair Bala, was a Brazilian professional footballer and manager, who played as a left winger.

Career

Jair started his career at Estrela do Norte in his hometown. In 1960 he was taken to Flamengo where he played 14 matches and scored 2 goals.[1] He received the nickname Jair Bala (bullet) because he was accidentally shot by a fellow club member while playing in the 60s, leaving the bullet lodged in his body. In 1963 he transferred to Botafogo, where he played alongside Nilton Santos and Garrincha. In 1964 he arrived at América Mineiro, being the state's top scorer that year with 19 goals.[2]

In 1966, he was acquired by Comercial de Ribeirão Preto, who had already bought his attacking companions at América, Ari and Marco Antônio (considered the best attack in the history of América Mineiro according to its fans).[3] and repeating the success achieved in Minas Gerais football. In 1967, he was hired by Palmeiras, and was part of the squad that won the Taça Brasil that year. He would still play for XV de Piracicaba and Santos, being a direct substitute for Pelé in several games, until returning to América Mineiro in 1970, when in 1971 he was champion and top scorer for the team. He ended his career at Paysandu in 1973.[4]

Managerial career

Bala began his coaching career in the second division of Minas Gerais in 1976, and then went on to play for América Mineiro's youth team. In 1978 he took over the main team for the first time, remaining until 1979. In 1980, at Londrina, he was champion of the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B that year, making history with the club from the interior of Paraná. He would manage América on other occasions, in addition to Cruzeiro in 1986 and other modest teams from Minas Gerais throughout most of the 90s.[5]

Personal life

In the 2000s, he became a sports commentator for TV Alterosa, one of the main TV stations in Minas Gerais.[6]

Honours

Player

Palmeiras

1967

América Mineiro

1971

Individual

Manager

Londrina

1980

Death

Jair Bala died in Belo Horizonte, 27 December 2022, aged 79, victim of a stroke.[7]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Jogadores do Clube de Regatas do Flamengo (Jair Bala) . Flaestatística . 13 February 2024 . pt.
  2. Web site: Minas Gerais State Championship - List of Topscorers . RSSSF Brazil . 13 February 2024.
  3. Web site: América reconta 108 anos de história através de seus craques . mg.superesportes.com.br/ . 30 April 2020 . 13 February 2024 . pt.
  4. Web site: Que fim levou? Jair Bala (Ex-meia-atacante do Flamengo, América, Palmeiras e Santos) . Terceiro Tempo . 13 February 2024 . pt.
  5. Web site: Jair Bala se mostrou um grande comandante . Londrina EC . 22 May 2020 . 13 February 2024 . pt.
  6. Web site: Fotos da carreira de Jair Bala como jogador, técnico e na TV . mg.superesportes.com.br/ . 27 December 2022 . 13 February 2024 . pt.
  7. Web site: Morre Jair Bala, ídolo do América-MG, aos 79 anos . GloboEsporte . 27 December 2022 . 13 February 2024 . pt.