KOENIGSTEIN, Germany, June 8 - Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira dodged suggestions on Thursday that he had the second most important job in the country after the president.

"You can't compare the two," he told reporters shortly before he and his players were due to take part in a teleconference with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from Brasilia.

"His job is much more important than mine. He has to take care of the health and education of 200 million Brazilians and try and control violence and poverty.

"I have to take care of just one thing, the Brazilian national football team. His job is much more important than the Brazil coach's, even in a World Cup."

Parreira also rejected suggestions that Lula was jumping on a bandwagon in an electoral year.

"I'm been involved with the team since 1970 and it's normal for the president to receive the Brazilian team before the World Cup. In 1970 and 1974, the team went to Brasilia for the reception, so it's very common."

'NUMBER ONE'

"I don't see any political opportunism. It's a coincidence that it's an electoral year," he said.

He added: "He's our number one supporter and, like any supporter, he has every right to give his opinion about the team, I don't see a problem."

Parreira, whose team have been training since May 21, said he could not wait for the first game against Croatia on June 13.

"We've been training for 18 days and these are players who are used to playing every three days for most of the season," he said.

"We can't wait for the World Cup to begin. I'm mad for the competition to start and I think they are as well."

Brazil, unbeaten in their last 10 outings, also face Japan and Australia in their first round group.

Parreira named his line-up for the Croatia game more than one month ago with the so-called Magic Quartet of Kaka, Adriano, Ronaldinho and Ronaldo due to lead the charge.

Brazil's preparations have been followed by several hundred journalists, with training sessions shown live back home accompanied by a fever-pitch commentary.