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Scolari 'tempted by Chelsea cash'

15/06/2008

Luiz Felipe Scolari has admitted the salary offer he received from Chelsea was one of the major reasons for him taking the job as the club's new head coach.

The Brazilian will step down from his position as the Portuguese national coach at the end of Euro 2008 in order to succeed Avram Grant as the Blues manager for next season.

And the 59-year-old has made no secret of the fact that the substantial wage packet he was offered by owner Roman Abramovich had played a part in persuading him to take the job - mainly because he believes he can now retire before the age of 70.

"Yes, that is one of the reasons," Scolari said in reply to questions over whether the trappings of the position had been behind his choice to leave Portugal for west London.

"It was not only because [the Portuguese Football Federation] did not offer the appropriate sums.

"I am 59 and I don't want to work as a coach until I'm 70.

"I want to retire in four or five more years, so money was an issue but not the only one."

Scolari, who won the World Cup in 2002 with as manager of Brazil, has agreed a three-year contract with Chelsea.

However, if he is successful the club is likely to offer him an additional year or two - meaning the Stamford Bridge hotseat could represent his last role in management.