Zico throws his hat into the ring for Portugal job

“Portugal one of Europe’s best teams – it would be good”

Following the news that Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will leave the national team to take over as Chelsea boss after Euro 2008, speculation has already begun as to who will succeed ‘Big Phil’.

With the qualifying stage for the 2010 World Cup starting in September, the Portuguese Football Federation will want the new man in place as soon as possible. An early candidate for the job is a compatriot of Scolari’s – none other than former Brazil superstar Zico.

The player who earned a cult status in the 1980s for his wonderful skill and finishing, even earning him the nickname “The White Pele”, has since embarked on a successful coaching career.

He recently left Istanbul club Fenerbahce after becoming the first man to guide a Turkish team into the quarter-finals of the Champions League, in 2007/08.

“Of course, having a chance to coach a top national team or club is always good, as much as anything to test one’s ability. Portugal is currently one of the best teams in Europe, and has the best player in the world. Cristiano Ronaldo is going through a wonderful phase,” Zico told Brazilian channel, Sport TV.

Benfica approach

Zico has a Portuguese father and is a fan of Sporting. He added that he would like to coach the Lisbon club one day, while revealing that the Lions’ city rivals, Benfica, made an approach for him out to become their coach when he was working in Turkey.

“Officially I’ve only had contact with one Portuguese club, which was Benfica, when I was still coaching Fenerbahce.”

As well as Zico, other names that have been mooted to take over the national team are Carlos Queiroz, Jesualdo Ferreira and Manuel Jose.


Euro 2008 Portugal diary