RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Head coach of the Palmeiras soccer team Vanderlei Luxemburgo showed his interest on Monday in returning to the Brazilian national team as coach.

    Luxemburgo stated that if Dunga were let go, or were to leave the post as head coach, he would be more than happy to step in.

    "I am a professional coach and am ready, if called upon, to return to direct the national team. Of course, this would only happen if Dunga were to leave the team or if I were personally invited.

    "For now, I offer my solidarity to Dunga. However, if the position were to become available tomorrow, I wanted to be the one chosen to fill the spot," he said.

    Luxemburgo's only stay with the national team was during the 2000 Olympic Games. He was let go after failing to pass through the quarterfinals, losing in overtime to Cameroon.

    "At that time, I was more than prepared. In that game I was seriously criticized, but that was the hardest I've ever worked as a coach. If we would have won that game, we would have been Olympic champions. That game was key," said Luxemburgo.

    The coach also mentioned that if he were to have been the head coach of the 2002 World Cup, he would have led the team to victory.

    "We would have been world champions, for sure. I know how to do my job, I am great at it. They took me away from the team at the most critical moment," he said.

    Luxemburgo mentioned three other names as people who are capable of coaching the national team. He cited Muricy Ramalho, Paulo Autuori and Abel Braga.