Scolari focused on Portugal job: agent
Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari, back in the running for the England manager's job according to press reports, will be firmly focused on World Cup success with Portugal, his agent said.
Acaz Felleger, who insists Scolari will not consider becoming England manager until the tournament has ended, has told the Football Association to forget about Scolari and focus on their World Cup challenge.
And Portugal boss Scolari responded to speculation that he is now the hot favourite to succeed Sven-Goran Eriksson by insisting he has not even had an interview with the FA.
The latest episode in the saga proved the most confusing to date but the FA have promised fans the selection process is still firmly on track.
Felleger said on Monday: "We are two months away from the World Cup and Luiz Felipe Scolari is focused on his job in Portugal. He just needs to do a good World Cup and after this he might talk about his future.
"If the FA are really interested to sign him they should have been focused on their work for the World Cup like Felipe Scolari is at the moment. England must think first of this World Cup and then of other issues."
Scolari is playing the issue down. He has a contract with the Portuguese FA until after the World Cup and, understandably, does not want to appear distracted.
The Brazilian said: "I am the Portugal coach and I am only thinking and speaking about Portugal until the last day of the World Cup. I don't have an interview. I spoke with the BBC, two or three months ago, and I said that I am happy that they are thinking about me.
"But I have a contract with Portugal and I don't want to talk more about any contract until the last day of my job in Portugal."
British press reports on Monday indicated that the highly-experienced Scolari's stock had risen after he put in a highly-impressive second interview with the England officials charged with choosing the new coach.
According to The Times, it has come down to a choice between long-time favourite and Middlesbrough manager Steve McLaren and the Brazilian.
Scolari, who won the World Cup with Brazil before leading Portugal to the final of Euro 2004, has the support of FA vice-chairman David Dein, the man responsible for bringing Arsene Wenger to English football.
The Times also claims Alan Curbishley and Martin O'Neill are no longer realistic contenders, while The Independent states that with the FA board divided over the appointment, and support for McClaren fading, "Big Phil' is again being considered as an option."
AFP
