Former Bafana Bafana coach, Carlos Alberto Parreira, has reportedly said he will happily coach the South African team again if the South African Football Association (Safa) asks him to return.

His successor Joel Santana was forced to quit his post this week, following the team?s dismal performance under his leadership.

It has been widely reported that Safa will announce Parreira as the new coach on Friday.

Parreira told a Brazilian television channel that while Safa has not contacted him yet, he would be glad to return to South Africa.

The Brazilian, who left the team to nurse his ill wife 16 months ago, says he is not surprised Santana has quit the team because he had been under a lot of pressure following the team?s eight defeats in nine matches.

Parreira concedes that there is very little time before the start of next year's FIFA World Cup to solve all the national squad?s problems, which includes a lack of goal scorers.

The possibility that Parreira might return has been met with mixed reaction.

African National Congress Youth League leader Julius Malema says Safa should choose a local coach like Lucas Radebe.

SAFA boss talks about life after Santana