Former Brazil coach, Mario Zagallo injured in a car crash

Former Brazil coach Mario Zagallo, 81, escaped with minor injuries in a car accident here late Thursday, police reported.

Zagallo, who managed the legendary 1970 World Cup-winning Brazil team before returning to lead them at the 1998 tournament, suffered a bruise to his right eye but was otherwise in good shape, according to a family source quoted in the Lance sports daily.

Zagallo, who also a player int the Brazil teams which won the 1958 and 1962 World Cups, was reported to have lost control of his car which hit a pillar while driving in the west of Rio de Janeiro.

He was taken to hospital but later released to return home.

Nicknamed "The Old Wolf", Zagallo also worked as assistant to then coach Carlos Alberto Parreira at the 1994 World Cup when Brazil won their fourth title in the United States.