Luiz Felipe Scolari 'approached by Australia' over manager's role for World Cup
Tuesday 12 December 2017 22:31, UK
Former Brazil, Portugal and Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari says he has been sounded out over a number of international jobs, including the vacant role with Australia.
The 69-year-old has just ended a successful two-and-a-half year spell in China with Guangzhou Evergrande where his side won the league in three consecutive seasons.
Scolari's spell in charge of home country Brazil ended in failure as they crashed out of their home World Cup in 2014 after being thrashed 7-1 by Germany.
He also struggled to make an impression during his time at Stamford Bridge and was sacked after only seven months in charge, although his standing in international football appears to remain strong.
Scolari says Chile, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar have all approached him about the possibility of taking charge of their national sides but it is the possibility of taking Australia to next year's World Cup in Russia that has piqued his interest, after Ange Postecoglou stepped down from the role in November.
"I am one of the names they spoke with... to see if I was interested in taking them to the World Cup," said Scolari.
"They can probably hire someone in February. So if they are interested they will call my agent and we'll discuss it.
"But I don't intend in just taking a team to the World Cup.
"I intend on leading a team with an organised project for one or two years. But I am interested.
"I had an offer from Saudi Arabia, I had an invite from Chile just recently. The Asian countries, such as United Arab Emirates, Qatar, sounded me out but I was under contract.
"I waited for the right moment to say, OK, now I don't have a contract and I am receptive to invites and we'll look at them and we see what might happen."
