By Tim Vickery BBC Sport Online

Back in charge of Brazil for the third time, Carlos Alberto Parreira is steeped in the tradition of his national team.

It is a story that begins long before he took Brazil to victory in USA 94.

Way back in 1970 he worked as assistant to the fitness coach and his tactical input was seen as vital to the team's success in the Mexico World Cup.

But Parreira is much more than a representative of the old guard.

He is also a pioneer. Parreira was one of the first of a school of Brazilian coaches who were not former players, but came from a background of physical preparation.

With no former glories on the field to impress and intimidate their players, this new breed of coaches needed a different, more subtle approach.

They had to win respect with their tactical knowledge and powers of persuasion.

Parreira's approach proved successful in the 1994 World Cup

During the 1970s they began to make their presence felt, and those who had come up through the ranks of physical preparation were in charge of the national team.

Initially the results were poor. The new coaches tended to get carried away with theory and demanded things that their players were unable to deliver.

In 1978, for example, Claudio Coutinho unsuccessfully tried to model his Brazil side on the "total football" of the Dutch.

Twelve years later Sebasti�o Lazaroni's team flopped in Italia 90 after the coach introduced a European-style sweeper system.

In the case of Parreira there is an important difference. He managed to conciliate his tactical thinking with the traditions of the Brazilian game.

Parreira's decision to coach Brazil again came as a big surprise

So rather then altering a style of play, he added to it. On the way to USA 94 he continually stressed that his side would play in the traditional Brazilian manner.

The difference was that they were more organised when they lost possession.

They were also in superb physical condition, reflecting Parreira's background.

And the result was Brazil's first World Cup win for 24 years.

There have been more exciting World Cup victories, but few so important.

It restored the prestige of the Brazil team, who have since moved on to regain their crown as undisputed kings of the global game.

Peru rivalry

It also established Parreira as the father of a dynasty. His approach became a reference point for other Brazilian coaches. who were emerging from a background in physical preparation.

Parreira's decision to coach Brazil again came as a big surprise, since he had frequently said that he was no longer interested in the post.

The clear favourite to take over had been S�o Paulo coach Oswaldo de Oliveira, a Parreira proteg�.

Oliveira's chance may yet come. But another Brazilian coach from the same school has no need to wait.

Paulo Autori was last week placed in charge of Peru. He will certainly be looking forward to a duel with the master when Peru meet Brazil in the coming World Cup qualifiers.