Scolari committed to Portugal

Scolari: Portuguese assurance

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Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari insists his decision to take the manager's job at Chelsea has not damaged his relationship with the Portuguese football federation.

Portugal face Switzerland in their final Group A match on Sunday and in his pre-match press conference, Scolari was keen to address his appointment as Blues boss.

Scolari takes up the role on 1st July and has defended the appointment being made public while he is still in charge of the national side.

"First of all I would like to close up a topic that has already been concluded by both parts," said Scolari.

"I want to talk about the relationship I have with the Portuguese football federation. I have to work with them until the end of this championship.

Negotiated

"Every decision was taken with the parties involved knowing what happened, namely the president of the Portuguese football federation who looked for assistance with some sponsors.

"We wanted to get a similar proposal but after having done that they told me I was free to negotiate with whomever I wished to navigate. I negotiated."

The Premier League club confirmed Scolari's appointment on Wednesday night, shortly after Portugal's 3-1 win over Czech Republic.

"We all knew one day we would start and one day we would end," he added.

"The president did his utmost, but my assignment will end at the end of the Euros.

"We should stop touching upon this topic because it is not going to change. We tried, we did our utmost on each side."

Relationships

The 59-year-old Brazilian will follow Avram Grant as manager at Stamford Bridge and has given little away about the type of boss he will be.

"You have to ask my wife, she knows best - get in touch with her!" he said when asked to describe what kind of person he is.

"I am what you see. I like to play, I like jokes, I like a good atmosphere, I feel comfortable anywhere in the world because I establish good relationships with the people who surround me.

"I don't like high society. I don't like to go to parties. I'm shy! But I have a good relationship with my players and that's the most important thing."