Parreira departs a proud man

Bloemfontein - Departing South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said on Tuesday he had earned the right "to take it easy" after becoming the first man to coach in six Soccer World Cups.

Parreira said it was "a privilege, an honour" to be in charge of Bafana Bafana for the first World Cup in Africa but he was now looking forward to some time off.

"I have worked very hard for the last nine months. We haven't stopped. It's been my effort and my players' effort at 100 percent and it has taken a lot out of us," Parreira said at his final press conference following the 2-1 win over France in Bloemfontein - which was not enough to keep the host nation in the tournament.

"South Africa can be very proud of its team," he said, despite the early exit.

"What the boys did for me in these seven months of preparation, I have to say to them thank you very much. I'm so happy with this occasion," he said, his voice shaking with emotion.

The 67-year-old Parreira, who won the 1994 title as coach of his native Brazil, said there was now nothing left for him to do at World Cups.

Having led Kuwait at the 1982 World Cup, the U.A.E. in 1990, Saudi Arabia in 1998 and Brazil in the 1994 and 2006 tournaments, Parreira returned for a second spell in charge of South Africa late last year after his first term was cut short when his wife fell ill in Brazil.

"South Africa allowed me to be the first coach to participate in six World Cups. It's a privilege, an honor and I am deeply grateful to South Africa."

"I thank God for the privilege of participating in my sixth World Cup and finishing off with a victory. I am extremely, extremely happy."

Parreira transformed South Africa from a squad that was struggling ahead of the World Cup into a dangerous underdog and lost just once in 15 games - the 3-0 defeat by Uruguay in its second group game which sealed its World Cup fate.

"This team now has an identity and if I am proud of anything, its that I have given this team a face, an identity," Parreira said.

He told reporters he would take a break until the end of the year, and if he did make a return to coaching he would only consider roles in Brazil.