Scolari - I had offers

16 June 2009 18:58
Luiz Felipe Scolari says he received an offer from an English club before taking over as coach of Uzbekistan champions Bunyodkor. The Brazilian returned to coaching with Bunyodkor last week, having been out of work since being sacked by Chelsea in February. Scolari endured a turbulent spell at Stamford Bridge and was also prevented from joining another English club by the terms of his departure. But, though he was wanted by an unnamed team, Scolari believes he will be better suited to the experience of coaching in Uzbekistan. The 60-year-old told the Brazilian media: "I received an offer from an English club, but Chelsea's contractual clauses prevent me from working in England for a year. "I had offers from other clubs and national teams. I thought that might lead me to the same situation that I experienced in Chelsea and could have further difficulties. "That's why I chose this new project, which pleased me much." Rivaldo persuasionScolari's move to Uzbekistan was initiated by compatriot Rivaldo, a member of his World Cup-winning squad in 2002, who joined Bunyodkor last year. "I decided to accept an invitation by Rivaldo, an outstanding person who was for me the most important player of the 2002 World Cup," Scolari continued. "The other important thing is the structure surrounding the project. "They want to assemble a team that can fight for places in international competitions and they are building a new stadium, with seven training pitches of excellent quality. "All this weighed on my decision."

Source: SKY_Sports