He was once called “the Hiddink of Jeju” and was loved by many soccer fans. The Brazilian Adventist coach Arthur Bernardes has now returned to Korea. He coached Jeju United five years ago and has returned to Korea to coach Gangwon FC. The team will soon begin their winter training.
While he coached Jeju United, on the days when he did not have games, Coach Bernardes spent his Sabbaths at Seogwipo Church or the Jeju SDA Language Institute Church. The coach shared his testimony at the Institute Church. He also practiced his faith by praying regardless of the outcome of the games and taking his Bible with him to read at the stadium.
Coach Bernardes began his career in 1987 as the coach for Madureira EC in Brazil. Later on, he coached for the Fluminense and the Flamengo, a well-known soccer team in Brazil. After the year 2000, he led multiple soccer teams in Peru, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Angola and more.
Coach Bernardes lives with Psalms chapter 91 in his heart and said in one of his interviews in 2008 that his desires do not become God’s desires, but that God’s desires become his desires. “I simply leave everything up to the Lord.” The K-League is eager to see what kind of “Samba Magic” the new coach will demonstrate this year.