Brazil head coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has said he could retire from professional football management if he manages to guide Brazil’s ‘Seleção’ to a record sixth World Cup title in Germany later this year.

“If I’m intelligent, I’ll stop while I’m on top,” Parreira told the Brazilian newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo in an interview published on Sunday. “Pragmatically, it would be the right time, savouring the victory.”

62-year-old Parreira had already announced that he is likely to leave the Brazilian national team whether or not Brazil performed well in Germany, but he hasn't previously mentioned whether he'll quit coaching entirely.

Parreira's popularity in Brazil is immense with a recent survey conducted by Datafolha - and also published by Folha on Sunday - saying that 62% of those polled thought that Parreira's performance as Brazilian head coach had been “Great to good.'”

Only two percent of those polled said Parreira was “Bad or terrible,” and with 17% saying the job he has done was “Regular'”, with the rest answering “Don’t know”.

But Parreira is modest about his success with the Seleção, giving the credit to the team. “This occurs because of the team's results,” said Parreira.

“We won the Copa America, finished first in qualifying (from the South American CONMEBOL Zone) to advance without difficulties, and also won the Confederations Cup.”

This is the highest rating Parreira has had since he took charge of the Brazilian team. In December 2004, 47% of Brazilians approved of the coach's performance, up from 39% in December 2003.

“It's an honour to get these numbers after 38 years,” finished Parreira.

Parreira has had a remarkable record of success since he took charge of the Brazil team, and led the Seleção to 48 victories, 11 draws and 34 losses in his 93 matches since he took over as head coach from Luiz Felipe Scolari in 2002.

The 2006 World Cup kicks-off on June 9, with Brazil starting their tournament in Group F against Croatia on June 13 in Berlin. They will then go on to play Australia on June 18 in Munich, and Japan on June 22 in Dortmund in the group stages.

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