Former Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari eyeing international return with Australia
THE 69-year-old is itching for another crack at the World Cup, just three-and-a-half years after watching his Brazil side suffer their most humiliating defeat ever. Big Phil would also be open to a comeback in the Premier League after his ill-fated spell at Stamford Bridge.
LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI is set for a return to international management with Australia just over three years since he guided Brazil to the most embarrassing result in their history.
The 69-year-old watched on in horror as Germany inflicted a stunning 7-1 World Cup semi-final thumping on his nation at a Maracana back in 2014.
Since then he has rebuilt his career in the Chinese Super League and has just left Guangzhou Evergrande after a two-and-a-half year spell.
Now Scolari is itching to get back in the hotseat as Australia lead the chase for his services, although the ex-Chelsea manager is equally keen on a return to the Premier League.
When quizzed on the possibility of taking over the Socceroos, the veteran told Reuters: "I am one of the names they spoke with... to see if I was interested in taking them to the World Cup.
"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."
Australia have been without a coach since Ange Postecoglou resigned after getting them past Honduras in an intercontinental playoff for Russia last month. The Aussies have been drawn in Group C against France, Peru and Denmark.
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Scolari, who is back in Brazil to resolve personal issues over the Christmas period, wants to get back into management after guiding Guangzhou Evergrande to three consecutive league titles.
He is open to offers from clubs sides, and would particularly like another crack at the Prem, eight years after his spell at Chelsea was aborted only seven months into the job.
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But his most solid offers so far have come from national teams, with interest from Chile, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
He revealed he has rejected offers from four countries so far this year due to still being employed in the Far East.
Scolari said: "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."