Jailed defender Breno set for Bayern Munich coaching role

Jailed ex-Bayern Munich star Breno, who was convicted of arson last year, is set for day release to take a coaching job at the European champions, according to a report on Sunday.

The 23-year-old was convicted of aggravated arson in July 2012 and sentenced to three years and nine months after he set fire to his rented luxury Munich villa in September 2011.

Breno joined Bayern from Brazil side Sao Paulo in 2008 for 12 million euros (US$16m), making 28 league appearances, but had suffered from depression after picking up a knee injury while on loan at Nuremberg in March 2010.

A spokesman for Munich's Stadelheim prison, where Breno is incarcerated, confirmed to German magazine Focus that the Brazilian centre-back is set for day release and will help coach Bayern's reserves.

Champions League winners Bayern had always promised to take Breno back into their employment and a rehabilitation programme has been agreed by immigration authorities and state prosecutors.

"With this step, Breno has the chance to re-integrate himself back into society as soon as possible," said the prison spokesman, who denied reports that Breno's former clubs Sao Paulo and Nuremberg have also offered him a job.

Breno could eventually play for Bayern's reserves and kept himself fit while serving his sentence.

"Breno is as fit as a prison inmate can be," added the spokesman.

But Breno will be expected to return to prison by a set time each day to sleep.

The news will please Brazil coach Luis Felipe Scolari, who last week called on the Munich authorities to release Breno to allow him to continue his career in his home country.

"I want to ask that they consider whether the boy deserves a second chance," Scolari was quoted as telling the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper.

"Sometimes we make mistakes, and when we've served our time, it can already be too late.

"If he were allowed to return to Brazil and play football again, then that would be a new start for him."