Scolari keeps Portugal guessing ahead of Euro 2008 squad announcement

Surprises promised in defence and midfield

Portugal national team coach Luiz Felipe Scolari took to the airwaves on Thursday night as the World Cup winning coach went on Portuguese state television channel, RTP, to discuss the team’s prospects ahead of this summer European championship.

On the programme Grande Entrevista Scolari spoke candidly, as he always does, letting some of his selections for the 23-man squad be known, while not revealing all and promising “some surprises”

“Portuguese fans can expect us to be at our best. My biggest ambition at this point in time is to get past the group phase. Afterwards we can think of another objective. We will try to do our best, but the world will not end if we do not win it,” said the wily tactician.

Scolari admitted that Portugal have not been at their best recently saying, “We have to smoothen out some rough edges. We need better integration because the national team has changed greatly. We have a group that is less experienced, with less leadership. We are looking for leaders like Cristiano, Petit, Nuno Gomes etc.”

The Brazilian also was at pains to point out that Portugal is not a one-man band. “We are not dependent on Cristiano; he will not play all by himself. We are going as a team. We will play in an organised manner.”

Ferreira and Ricardo promised place

Despite indifferent seasons for their clubs, Scolari said that defender Paulo Ferreira and goalkeeper Ricardo would be part of the squad. A feature of the coach’s style is the great loyalty he shows to his players, but he admitted that there may be one or two new faces, although he kept the expectant audience guessing.

“The list is already finalised. I have no doubts, but I am waiting for the end of the season. There may be surprises in the defence or midfield. There may be a player who is much younger or much older. Debutants are more difficult, but then again, it can happen.

“Paulo Ferreira is one who will be selected because of everything he has done and because of the person that he is. I have told Paulo that he is going to the Euros. Ricardo and I will have a little chat because of the way he treated his coach. For me, it was wrong.”

Manchester City talks denied

Finally, Scolari briefly spoke of his future after Euro 2008. The Brazilian, who is being hotly tipped to take over at Manchester City, has not renewed with the Portuguese Football Federation, preferring to wait until the tournament was over to weigh up his options, as he has done after the last two tournaments.

The Portugal coach vehemently denies he has been in contact with the Premiership club and reiterated that he knows nothing of all the rumours surrounding his future in England. However, he pointedly added that if he were to leave the national team, then he would like to coach a club outside Portugal.