Rio de Janeiro, Jan 27 (IANS) Brazil does not have a plan B for next year’s FIFA World Cup on home soil, according to the team’s technical director Carlos Alberto Parreira.
The former World Cup-winning coach revealed Saturday that Brazil focused solely on winning the tournament for a sixth time, but warned that success hinged on the collaboration of the whole country, reports Xinhua.
“World Cup success begins off the pitch through good planning – that is fundamental,” Parreira told Brazilian daily O Globo.
“But we also need to have everybody involved in the project. And when I say everybody I mean the entire country from fans to players and everybody else.
“Winning is not an obligation but we have only one objective and that is to be world champions. Playing at home we have to think that way. The players need to understand that there is no plan B.”
Parreira was appointed by Brazil’s Football Confederation (CBF) as the new technical director to Luiz Felipe Scolari in November following the sacking of former coach Mano Menezes.
He rates Spain, Italy, England, the Netherlands, Germany and particularly Argentina as Brazil’s major rivals during the tournament.
“Without doubt Argentina are among the favourites,” said Parreira, who coached Brazil to victory at the 1994 World Cup in the United States.
“I saw them beat Uruguay 3-0 in the qualifiers and the way they imposed themselves was outstanding. Apart from Lionel Messi in attack they have (Sergio) Aguero, (Angel) Di Maria and (Gonzalo) Higuain,” he added.
