Big Phil Scolari ready to leave cushy job in free-spending China for even cushier job at silly-spending FA after England‘s Euro 2016 sham
Big Phil Scolari wants to ditch mega-money Guangzhou China and take over England after their Euro 2016 shame.
The former Brazil, Portugal and Chelsea boss rejected the FA ‘s advances in 2006 claiming the media intrusion was too intense to handle.
But now, at 67, he believes he is the right man to replace Roy Hodgson.
He told : “I am the manager of Guangzhou and I am concentrating on my job here.
“But I know the importance of the England job in world football.
“I’ve an affection for English football and I am aware of the need for the national team to be successful.
“I understand the importance of an international manager from my time with Brazil and Portugal.”
FA Chief Executive Martin Glenn’s bungling surprise announcement that a foreign coach – or woman – would be considered for the position sparked the Brazilian’s interest after it was thought only homegrown coaches would be considered.
When the FA first tried to lure the 2002 World Cup winner to England he blamed the media for his decision to pass on the offer, saying: “The English FA is going to choose a name. My name isn’t one of them because I’m closing this matter.
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“There are 20 reporters outside my house now. If that is part of another culture, it is not part of my culture.
“I am not the coach, and will not be (England’s) coach. I don’t want this situation involving England because my life was invaded. My privacy was totally under siege.”
However, the money the bungling FA will be offering will no doubt help lure the 2002 World Cup winner back to Blighty.
When Chelsea appointed him for a seven-month spell at the start of the 2008-09 season he readily admitted then that he was in it for the money and fancied an easy ride later in life.
When asked if decision to manage Chelsea was a bout the cash, he said: “"Yes, that is one of the reasons.
"I'm 59 and I don't want to work as a coach until I'm 70. I want to retire in four or five years, so it was a financial matter but there are other things."
But now that Martin Glenn’s barmy army of faceless blazers could offer him another payday and Gareth Southgate has wisely dodged the poisoned chalice, Scolari can smell another windfall.
And Laurent Blanc - fresh from earning a fortune and repeatedly failing in the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain - is also a name in the frame.
The former Manchester United defender is cosy with FA vice-chairman David Gill from their time at Old Trafford together.
