Scolari says he is not taking over Dunga's job

By foxsports
Published

Luiz Felipe Scolari is not planning to return for a second stint as coach of his native Brazil after its World Cup elimination but would like to lead a national team at the 2014 tournament in his homeland.

Coach Dunga has hinted he will not continue with Brazil following Friday's 2-1 quarterfinal loss to the Netherlands and the Brazilian federation is reportedly already looking for a replacement.

Scolari led Brazil to the 2002 World Cup title and has been touted as a possible replacement but says his focus for the next two years will be with Brazilian club Palmeiras.

"It would be wonderful to finish my career coaching a national team in the World Cup in Brazil," Scolari told Brazil's Radio Eldorado in South Africa, where he is working as a commentator for a local TV network. "But I won't be able to accept any offers until after 2012."

Just before the World Cup, Scolari reached a two-year deal to coach Palmeiras. He will start at four-time Brazilian champion when his job ends after the World Cup.

"My focus is with Palmeiras," Scolari said. "After my contract is over we will see if there is any national team interested for the qualifiers and the World Cup."

Scolari worked with Palmeiras from 1997-2000, helping it win the 1998 Brazilian Cup and the 1999 Copa Libertadores.

It will be his first job in Brazil since 2002.

Despite odd spells at Chelsea and Uzbek club Bunyodkor, he remains highly respected by fans and local media in Brazil after leading the national team to the 2002 world title in South Korea and Japan.

He reportedly was offered the job again for the 2006 World Cup, but rejected it because he was already coaching Portugal, which he led to the 2004 European Championship final and to the semifinals of the 2006 tournament in Germany.

In addition to Scolari, there has been reports that former Brazil player and AC Milan coach Leonardo could take over as coach after the team's elimination in South Africa.

Dunga took over from Carlos Alberto Parreira after the 1-0 loss to France in the 2006 quarterfinals in Germany. Despite not having any previous experience as a coach, he led Brazil to significant results and the team entered this year's World Cup as a favorite to win its sixth title.

Brazil played well but a bad second half against the Netherlands on Friday in Port Elizabeth was enough to end the team's tournament.

Brazil will host the World Cup in 2014 for the first time since 1950.