Scolari says he has received no offer from England

LISBON, Apr 28 (Reuters) Portugal's Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has confirmed he was approached by England's Football Association about managing their national side but says he has received no offer.

In an interview published on the Web site of Diario de Noticias newspaper today, Scolari said he would weigh his options once his Portuguese contract runs out on July 31, after the World Cup in Germany.

England are looking to replace their first foreign manager, Sweden's Sven-Goran Eriksson, who will step down after the World Cup.

Asked if a decision had been made regarding the England manager's job, Scolari said: ''Nothing. The coach has still not been chosen.

''There are four or five names and only within seven or 15 days will it be settled. My situation with Portugal remains the same until July 31.'' The FA meeting ''was a simple talk, informal and with the consent of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), since I am still a Federation professional, with a contract until the 31st of July, and up until then no one knows what is going to happen,'' he said.

''The job, the work situation, technical conditions were talked about.'' Scolari, 57, led Brazil to the 2002 World Cup title and steered Portugal to the final of the European championships two years ago, knocking out England both times. Portugal were undefeated in World Cup qualifying matches.

''I don't have just this offer, this idea, about England, I've got other teams, national sides and clubs. That's the life of a professional. I always honour my contracts,'' Scolari said.

OTHER OFFERS ''I've already had proposals from Real Madrid and Barcelona that I said no to, and that I'd only talk after the end of the contract. No one is guaranteeing that I'll stay in Portugal.

''And you ask, what if we lost in the (World Cup's) first round? Would there be anyone that would like it if I stayed in Portugal? No.'' FA chief executive Brian Barwick returned to London yesterday after flying to Lisbon to discuss the England job. He told reporters the selection process was continuing ''apace''.

Asked about reports in British media that he was being offered an annual salary of 3 million pounds, Scolari said: ''Everybody talks about numbers. That's been extrapolated higher, for sure.'' The FA ''is checking out names, one of them is mine. I have to be happy with being remembered. But I don't have an agreement except for with Portugal,'' he said.

''What if I weren't picked by the English team, or by Portugal? If I wasn't chosen by anyone? Without a job? I also have a professional life, that's why I should hear out proposals and at the same time do the best job for Portugal until July 31.'' FPF Chairman Gilberto Madail told private TSF radio on Friday that Barwick had met Scolari's agent, Gilmar Veloz, and that Scolari had not been present.

REUTERS PM KP1224