We start our look at the coaches of each nation competing in the 2014 World Cup with Group A, featuring host nation Brazil.
Brazil
Manager: Luiz Felipe Scolari
Age: 65
Big Phil is in his second spell as Brazil manager, returning to the role after Mano Menezes was sacked two years ago. He made his name as a defender in the Seventies before going into management with CSA in 1982. Won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002.
Previous jobs: CSA (1982), Juventude (1982-83 & 1986-87), Brasil de Pelotas (1983 & 86), Al-Shabab (1984-85), Gremio (1987 &1993-96), Goias (1988), Al Qadisiya (1988-90), Kuwait (1990), Criciuma (1991), Al-Ahli (1991), Al Qadisiya (1992), Jubilo Iwata (1996-97), Palmeiras (1997-00 & 2010-12), Cruzeiro (2000-01), Brazil (2001-02), Portugal (2003-08), Chelsea (2008-09), Bunyodkor (2009-10).
Killer fact: As a player Scolari’s nicknames was "perna-de-pau", translated as "wooden leg". It is a term used in Brazilian-Portuguese to describe a bad player.
Croatia boss Niko Kovac
Croatia
Manager: Niko Kovac
Age: 42
Not many people know more about Croatian football than Niko Kovac. He played for the national team for 12 years (1996-2008) and was its long-standing captain. Born in West Germany, Kovac gained his skills at a variety of Bundesliga clubs, including Hertha Berlin and Bayern Munich.
Previous jobs: Red Bull Salzburg (2011-12 assistant manager), Croatia U21 (2013).
Killer fact: Before taking over the first team squad, Niko managed Croatia’s Under-21 team alongside his brother, Robert. They led them in five games and managed a 100 per cent winning ratio.
Mexico's Miguel Herrera is a livewire on the touchline
Mexico
Manager: Miguel Herrera
Age: 46
Herrera was appointed as manager of Mexico in October 2013. He replaced Victor Manuel Vucetich and the ex-Mexico international became the fourth national team head coach within the space of a month.
Previous jobs: Atlante (2002-04 & 2010-11), Monterrey (2004-07), Veracruz (2008), Estudiantes Tecos (2008-10), América (2011-13).
Killer fact: Herrera began his playing career with Atlante in 1986, the same club he started his managerial career with in 2002.
German coach Volker Finke leads Cameroon into the World Cup
Cameroon
Manager: Volker Finke
Age: 66
The German manager and former player was appointed as Cameroon boss in 2013. Known for his revolutionary tactical ideas, he was in charge of SC Freiburg for 16 years before coaching in Japan with Urawa Red Diamonds.
Previous jobs: TSV Havelse (1986-90), SC Norderstedt (1990-91), SC Freiburg (1991-07), Urawa Red Diamonds (2009-10), FC Koln (2011).
Killer fact: Finke led Freiburg to the Bundesliga for the first time in the club’s history, guiding them to promotion in 1994.
