The Generals in Germany
Carlos Alberto Parreira, Brazil
It would seem that telling the likes of Ronaldinho and Ronaldo what to do would be difficult if you have never played professional football yourself. But 63-year-old Parreira has never had that problem, and in fact has already one World Cup title under his belt as coach -- at USA 1994.
Parreira, who trained as a fitness coach and was in charge of keeping the legendary 1970 Jules Rimet Cup-winning Brazilian side fit, is also credited with infusing practicality into Brazilian football, which has traditionally been high on brilliance, and low on shrewdness.
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This is Parreira's third spell as Brazil coach. His first, from 1982 to 1984, was a disappointment, after which he took charge of the United Arab Emirates team. His second spell saw the Samba Boys lift the 1994 World Cup, and he is no doubt hoping he can repeat that feat in Germany.
Image: Parreira shows the way in the Brazil-Croatia match at Berlin. Photograph: Vanderlei Almeida/AFP/Getty Images
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