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Blackleaf · Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2006 11:15 am Post subject: Scolari keen on England job.

Luiz Felipe Scolari, the coach who masterminded England's exit from the last two tournaments (as coach of Brazil and then Portugal) has shown interest in being the next England manager after Sven leaves after the World Cup.

Scolari keen on England job

Pedro Redig and Denis Campbell
Sunday January 22, 2006
The Observer

Luiz Felipe Scolari, the coach who masterminded England's exit from the last two tournaments they have played, has told Observer Sport that he would be interested in taking Sven-Goran Eriksson's job after this summer's World Cup. Scolari, who led Brazil to glory in the 2002 World Cup then took Portugal to the Euro 2004 final, spoke of his eagerness to work in England and was happy to be talked about as the next England manager. The widely admired Brazilian stressed that he would be open to offers after this summer's World Cup in Germany, which will mark the end of his ontract with Portugal. The FA top brass expect Germany to be Eriksson's last stand with England, despite his contract not expiring until July 2008.

There has been widespread speculation about Eriksson's future after last week's 'fake sheikh' sting by the News of the World in which the coach said he would be prepared to leave England for a club job. Eriksson is expected to quit after the World Cup, provided the FA can agree a compensation package for him.

'Big Phil' Scolari's track record and availability make him a highly attractive contender. One of the FA's key powerbrokers said last night that the organisation's leadership at Soho Square were well aware of Scolari and that if he became available, he would be considered. His nationality would not stop him being appointed.

Another senior FA figure revealed that chief executive Brian Barwick, director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking and other leading figures were determined to secure 'the best man for the job, regardless of his nationality. You don't have to be a genius to realise that the choice of English managers isn't wide'.

In terms of achievement, Scolari's record places him ahead of potential candidates such as Middlesbrough's Steve McClaren, Alan Curbishley of Charlton, and Bolton's Sam Allardyce. He oversaw his country's 2-1 defeat of England in the quarter-finals of the 2002 World Cup and repeated the trick with Portugal's victory on penalties at the same stage of Euro 2004. Scolari emphasised that he was 'totally committed to Portugal' until his contract ends on 30 July, but would relish a new challenge after that.

'I would analyse with interest if I receive an invitation to work in England but I will only be able to talk about that at the end of my contract,' he said. 'I get happy when my name is mentioned for a job with a club or the England team but we must respect our fellow professionals.'

Scolari underlined his keenness to test himself here by pledging to take lessons to improve his basic English. 'From the way I take my challenges, after two to three months of intensive course work I would be able to give interviews. I worked with players in Kuwait without any interpreter. I speak enough English [already] to defend myself, as we say.'

The Portugal coach also spelled out his belief that his methods could give England an extra dimension. 'Joy and simplicitya' would be the biggest contribution a Brazilian coach could bring to English football, he said.

'It [the English game] has improved a lot in the last few years, the game is more open and better.' But he could improve it further with 'a little more enjoyment, and more mobility'.

Scolari described England as 'one of four or five teams with great chances of winning the World Cup' and praised Eriksson. 'I like him as a person and the way he works,' said Scolari.

guardian.co.uk