Joel Santana has officially resigned as coach of World Cup hosts South Africa with less than one year to the showpiece event.

The Brazilian came under fire after a poor run of results which saw them lose eight of nine games - their only win coming against minnows Madagascar.

Recent losses to Norway and Iceland proved to Santana it was time to go and his offer to quit was accepted by the South African Football Association (SAFA).

Raymond Hack, the chief executive officer of SAFA, told Press Association Sport: "It's true he has resigned. It's by mutual consent, he was not fired.

"The national executive committee are meeting on Friday and current assistant coaches Pitso Mosimane and Jairo Leal will continue as caretaker coaches until then."

Santana took charge in April 2008 after replacing countryman Carlos Alberto Parreira following a recommendation from Parreira himself.

Ironically, Parreira is now the favourite to return.