The 62-year-old told a Brazilian website that no matter what happened at the finals - for which Brazil need three more points from their last three qualifiers to be assured that they defend their title in Germany - he would be stepping down.

"I will not be staying on with the national team no matter what happens after the 2006 World Cup finals," Parreira, who coached Brazil to the 1994 World Cup title, told the internet site of Brazilian paper Esportes Terra.

It is the third time Parreira - whose contract runs till after the finals - has coached the Brazilians, starting with an eight month spell in 1983 followed by the successful term which led to the 1994 World Cup and this one which began in 2003.

Parreira, a noted seascapes artist, was also a member of the great Brazil side that won the 1970 World Cup final when he was a physical trainer.

Aside from Brazil he has also coached Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates and in club football notably Spanish giants Valencia and Tturkish outfit Fenerbahce.