England News

• Nickname:Three Lions
• Founded: 1872
• Manager:Roy Hodgson

• Ground:Wembley Stadium
• Capacity:90000

Scolari deal edges closer

28 Apr 2006 - 08:40:23

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Reports suggest discussions between the Football Association and Luiz Felipe Scolari earlier this week went well, with the Brazilian keen to sign a long-term deal to succeed Sven-Goran Eriksson as England manager.

The FA confirmed on Thursday they had held talks with the 57-year-old Portugal coach and it is believed he has been offered a contract worth £3million a year.

Scolari attended a dinner with Portuguese football federation officials on Thursday night and is reported in The Times as saying: "He (FA chief executive Brian Barwick) laid out contracts for five and seven years on the table."

Barwick had earlier said: "We were speaking to Felipe as part of the process of recruiting the next coach and that process continues."

An FA spokesman added: "I can confirm that the FA formally approached the Portuguese Football Federation back in February.

"The FA chairman Geoff Thompson spoke to the PFF president Gilberto Madail for permission to speak to Mr Scolari and that permission was granted."

Scolari coached Brazil to success at the 2002 World Cup before guiding hosts Portugal to the final of Euro 2004 where his side lost to Greece.

Steve McClaren, Sam Allardyce, Stuart Pearce, Guus Hiddink, Martin O'Neill and Alan Curbishley have also been linked with the England role since it was confirmed that Eriksson would be leaving the post after this summer's World Cup Finals.