Jul 7, 2006, 18:45 GMT
Stuttgart - Portugal's Luiz Felipe Scolari denied Friday that he planned to end his successful four-year stint as coach immediately after the World Cup.
'I'm here to concentrate on the game and not to talk about my contract,' Scolari said in Stuttgart a day ahead of his team's play- off for third place against Germany.
'Either I go or I stay,' he said, adding that he enjoyed working with Portugal and would not decide on his future until after taking a vacation.
Under the headline 'Scolari sale,' the Portuguese sports daily Record said Friday the Brazilian will lead the European side for the last time against Germany.
Scolari's contract runs until the end of July, but it was reported he will meet Gilberto Madail, president of the Portugal football federation (FPF), next Tuesday to tell of his decision.
It is believed that Scolari, known as Felipao, feels it would be difficult to improve upon the results achieved in four years at the helm, the newspaper said. Felipao led the hosts Portugal to the final of the European Championship two years ago before taking the team to the last four of this year's World Cup.
Should they beat hosts Germany on Saturday, Portugal would equal their best-ever finish at the tournament held by the 1966 side featuring Eusebio.
Felipao, who had coached Brazil to their fifth world title in 2002, was given a mixed reception when taking up the job four years ago, something, according to the Portuguese paper, he has never forgotten.
The Brazilian, who before the finals turned down a lucrative offer to lead England into the Euro 2008 qualifiers, has already been linked to several other coaching positions.
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