Carlos Alberto Parreira knows what it's like to sit in one of sports' hottest seats having already guided Brazil to World Cup glory once.

The highly experienced coach, who led the South American giants to their fourth World Cup triumph in 1994 , aims to repeat success in Germany later this year.

Envied by managers around the globe for the number of talented players at his disposal, including FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldinho, AC Milan midfielder Kaka and Real Madrid's Ronaldo, Parreira's job is nevertheless one that many coaches would gladly turn down.

Failure to succeed can have serious repercussions and Parreira can attest to that.

He first guided the national team in 1983 but a disappointing run of results for Brazil's standards - just five wins taken and two defeats conceded in 14 games - ended his adventure early.

Parreira was undeterred and returned in 1991, proving more successful this time as Brazil clinched the World Cup title in America three years later.

Despite success, the Rio-born tactician decided to step down, much to the surprise of the nation.

"Winning the World Cup simply meant that I had accomplished my mission," he said.

"There was unbearable, almost inhuman pressure bearing down on me because Brazil had not won it since 1970.

"That was mentally and physically exhausting for years, even during the qualifiers for the World Cup! It was 24-hours-a-day suffering.

"I suddenly felt a ton weight drop from my shoulders."

When Parreira was named Luiz Felipe Scolari's successor in January 2003, the nation was somewhat stunned after the coach had repeatedly reiterated he would not come back.

His decision raised the inevitable question - why?

"I couldn't turn it down," he said.

"I have changed my plans and my life in the last 24 hours.

"It's a privilege to be chosen to coach the biggest team in the world, the only team to have won the World Cup five times.

"Sure, the pressure's still there; you always feel it as Brazil's national coach but it is nowhere near as great as it was in 1994."

But it comes as no surprise the Brazil Football Confederation (CBF) have turned to him.

Parreira has earned the reputation as one of the most committed and academic coaches in Brazil and has unquestionable international experience, having coached Kuwait in the 1982 World Cup, the United Arab Emirates in 1990 and Saudi Arabia at France '98.

His style of play was not always welcomed by his compatriots, who believed his tactics were too conservative and unimaginative.

However, the 62-year-old has not been afraid to make changes to answer his critics, as was seen in the World Cup qualifiers and in the Confederation Cup, which Brazil won last summer after a 4-1 triumph over Argentina.

Parreira's Brazil were under pressure in the World Cup qualifying campaign, as they were the first champions to have to defend their crown through qualifying.

But they did it in style, finishing top of their group ahead of Argentina, scoring 35 goals, more than any of their rivals while also having the second meanest defence with only 17 goals conceded and remaining unbeaten at home.

Parreira, who never played the game professionally, studied physical education and began his coaching experience in Ghana in 1968.

Two years later, he was on the coaching staff of Brazil's memorable team which won the 1970 World Cup.

He continued his role as a physical trainer with Rio de Janeiro's Fluminense.

Five years had to go by before he was promoted to head coach. Success may not have followed but he did return nine years later to guide the same club to their only Brazilian championship.

Like many of his peers, Parreira moved to the Middle East during the oil boom of the 1970s and led the Kuwait national team to the 1982 World Cup, a historic achievement despite first round elimination.

But after six years in the Gulf, he returned to his nation, embarking on his first experience guiding the Canarinhos.

His negative spell with the national team saw Parreira seek comfort with another national side, the United Arab Emirates, whom he guided to clinch the Asian Championship in 1988.

After a four-year spell with Brazil which culminated in the World Cup title, Parreira continued his travels, coaching clubs in Spain, Turkey and the United States as well as the Saudi Arabia national team.

The fact that Brazil are always handed the favourite tag in any competition worries Parreira.

"This is something I aim to change," he said.

"I don't like that favouritism and if we don't manage it right it can be extremely damaging.

"You are bound to face complications when arriving to a World Cup as favourites even if you take care of the psychology of your players."

This could prove a bigger challenge than Brazil defending their crown in German soil.