Scolari explains England snub

New Blues boss says FA's approach came at the wrong time

By James Dall   Last updated: 9th July 2008

Chelsea Press Conference Manager Luiz Felipe Scolari

Scolari: England snub

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New Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has explained the circumstances that made it 'impossible' for him to agree to become the manager of England.

Scolari was approached by the Football Association after former national head coach Sven Goran Eriksson announced that he would step down following the 2006 World Cup.

Brazilian coach Scolari, however, was reluctant to publicly agree to take up the role as he felt his position in charge of Portugal could result in a conflict of interests.

It was eventually confirmed that Steve McClaren would be handed the reins, before Portugal went on to defeat Eriksson's side in the quarter-finals on penalties.

Scolari, though, has revealed that he would have agreed to become the new England manager had the FA not succumbed to the mounting pressure surrounding an official announcement on who would succeed Eriksson.

Timing

"Both teams went to the World Cup and it was the case that we might have met," Scolari said at a press conference.

"Our paths did cross. I said to England it was impossible for me to sign a contract if I have one with Portugal and we might play each other.

"Am I for both teams? No. If they agreed, I would have signed a pre-contract before the World Cup and, after the competition when one of the teams was out, we could say, 'Okay, you are the coach'.

"But at that time they didn't agree about that because they needed to tell the press who the coach would be. The press pressured the FA and, at that time, it was just impossible for me to sign.

"I would have said yes, after the tournament. But after the first round Portugal met England. The timing was wrong - but they tried.

"I am a straight-forward guy. At that time, the national team needed to know the name of the future coach, and every day the press were asking who was going to be the next manager.

Barwick

"We could go one way but we did not follow the correct way so, in Germany, I said no.

"[FA chief executive] Brian Barwick was correct with me. They tried to do the best for England. I'm friends with Brian and all the people in the English national team and now more.

"Now it is Fabio [Capello in charge] and he is my big friend - my best friend in the world. I wish him and the national team all the very best."