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Chelsea 'showing interested in Scolari'

29/05/2008

The vice-president of the Portuguese Football Association has confirmed that Chelsea have expressed an interest in appointing Luis Felipe Scolari as their new manager.

According to Amandio de Carvalho, Scolari - who turned down the England job in 2006 to focus on his role as Portugal coach – is on the Blues' shortlist of men to replace sacked former boss Avram Grant.

And he joins AC Milan's Carlo Ancelotti, Blackburn Rovers' Mark Hughes, Manchester City's Sven-Goran Eriksson, Russia coach Guus Hiddink and former Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard among the apparent contenders.

"I already know that Chelsea are interested in Scolari," Carvalho told the Independent newspaper.

The Brazilian, who won the 2002 World Cup as manager of his home country, is contracted to the Portuguese FA until after the 2008 European Championships.

An announcement over the highly-rated coach's future had not been expected until after the summer tournament in Austria and Switzerland so that the Portugal team - who are among the favourites after reaching the World Cup semi-finals two years ago - would have no distractions.

But with Chelsea keen to fill their managerial vacancy in the near future so that the new man can begin preparations for next season, all the candidates are expected to learn their fate before the tournament starts.