Record-breaking Scolari racks up the offers

By Morten Ritter Jul 4, 2006, 16:10 GMT

Marienfeld, Germany - The future of Luiz Felipe Scolari, the world's most sought after national team coach, is still undecided less than a month before his contract with Portugal is due to expire.

The 57-year-old, who led Brazil to their fifth championship in 2002 and has steered Portugal to the semi-finals in the current competition, is being courted by a number of federations after describing himself 'open to offers.'

'My contract ends on July 31,' said the Brazilian. 'I don't know what will happen afterwards.'

Scolari had been heavily linked to the England coaching post ahead of the finals but turned down a potentially lucrative contract because he did not want the news announced before the World Cup, fearing it would affect Portugal's performance in the finals.

It was then reported that Felipao had instead agreed to continue in his current job for another two years, taking him to the European Championship in 2008.

But Gilberto Madail, president of the Portugal football federation, denied anything has been officially signed: 'It's a lie. I have to set the record straight. If I were (Roman) Abramovich, it would have been done and dusted a long time ago,' he said before clarifying. 'Money's not the question, but we've received some substantial offers.'

One of the world's better paid coaches, Scolari's salary is reported to be between 1.8 and 2 million euros (2.3-2.6 million dollars) but that has not halted the rumours linking Big Phil with a number of national teams.

After England were rejected, Scolari's name has been championed by the Brazilian press as a possible replacement for Carlos Alberto Parreira, while the Portuguese daily 'Record' identifies Spain as the latest federation to show serious interest.

Scolari will once again be in the spotlight on Wednesday when Portugal take on France in the semi-finals of the World Cup. Should the Brazilian lead the Red and Greens to a historic final, his rating can be expected to rise even further.