Carlos Alberto Parreira and Jose Pekerman have resigned as coaches of Brazil and Argentina less than three weeks after their quarter-final exit at the World  Cup.

Parreira, who led Brazil to their fourth world title in 1994, had been at the helm since the start of 2003. Brazil lost 1-0 to France at the World Cup after starting the tournament as favourites.

"After a meeting held this morning with CBF president Ricardo Teixeira, coach Carlos Alberto Parreira left the Brazilian national team," said a statement on the CBF's official website.

"It was a joint decision and Parreira will not have, from today, any professional connection with the Brazilian Football Confederation."
 
Pekerman also confirmed he will not carry on in the job, the Argentina football association's president said in a newspaper interview.

"Pekerman has told me he's not going to continue with the national team," Julio Grondona, president of the Argentina Football Association (AFA), told the sports daily Ole.

Pekerman first announced his decision immediately after his team lost on penalties to hosts Germany in the quarter-finals of the World Cup following a 1-1 draw.

Grondona would not comment on possible successors.

"We'll wait and see. We haven't thought about this because it (the World Cup) is still very recent," he said.

Ole named 10 possible successors, ranging from Diego Maradona to veteran Carlos Bilardo, who led Argentina to the title in 1986 and second place four years later.