JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) _ Former Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira warned that he will not tolerate any interference from South Africa's soccer federation when he takes over the country's national team.

The South African Football Association has often been blamed for forcing a rapid succession of trainers to quit through its interference and Parreira, who led Brazil to the 1994 World Cup title, said Tuesday the body would need to back off if he was ``to polish soccer diamonds'' ahead of South Africa's hosting of the 2010 World Cup.

``Thirteen coaches in 13 years is not a good record,'' Parreira said at his first news conference in South Africa. ``The moment I am not happy or not feeling comfortable, then it is 'bye bye.' The security of the coach is results, a coach relies on results. The results of this team will be in 2010.''

Parreira arrived in South Africa at the weekend to watch the team get held to a dismal 0-0 draw by the Republic of Congo.

South Africa failed to qualify for this year's World Cup and crashed out of the African Cup of Nations in the first round without scoring a goal.

FIFA has given US$10 million to South Africa's federation to try to build a successful team, but key players including striker Benni McCarthy are unwilling to commit to the national squad.

Parreira said there was an urgent need for a comprehensive player development program to allow new talent to rise in the next four years.

``If the diamonds remain underground, if the machinery is not in place to mine them, they are of no value and there is no way the objective can be achieved,'' Parreira said.

Parreira takes up his post on Jan. 1 and will watch the next African Cup of Nations qualifier against Zambia as an observer.