SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, July 3 - Costa Rica coach Alexandre Guimaraes resigned on Monday after his team's dismal performances at the World Cup in Germany where the Central American nation suffered three straight defeats.

"Each person has his own destiny. I am very clear about mine," Guimaraes said at a news conference called to announce his resignation.

The Brazilian-born Guimaraes said local media unfairly blamed him for their defeats against Germany (4-2), Ecuador (3-0) and Poland (2-1) in Group A.

Guimaraes said he feared for his safety after he was given a rude homecoming from Germany by a group of angry fans.

It was Costa Rica's third appearance at a World Cup finals. They reached the second round in 1990 but also failed to get past the first round at the last tournament in 2002.

Guimaraes took charge of the national team last year from Colombian coach Jorge Luis Pinto, who was sacked after a poor start to the final qualifying stage for the tournament.

Guimaraes was a member of Costa Rica's 1990 World Cup squad and coached them at the finals in Japan and South Korea four years ago.