Luiz Felipe Scolari says he has been approached to replace Ange Postecoglou as Socceroos coach
Australia have approached World Cup-winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari about leading them to the 2018 tournament in Russia, according to the former Brazil and Portugal boss.
Scolari, who recently ended a two-and-a-half year stint with a club side in China, said the Socceroos had spoken with his agent about him replacing Ange Postecoglou, who resigned in November.
"I am one of the names they spoke with … to see if I was interested in taking them to the World Cup," Scolari said.
Scolari said he was happy to discuss a role with the Australians, but would want it to be long-term, not just for the June-July 2018 tournament.
"I don't intend in just taking a team to the World Cup," the former Chelsea manager said.
"I intend on leading a team with an organised project for one or two years.
"But I am interested."
The Socceroos qualified for Russia after beating Honduras in an intercontinental playoff and have been drawn in Group C against France, Peru and Denmark.
Postecoglou quit the Socceroos a week after securing Australia's spot.
Having led Brazil to World Cup glory in 2002, Scolari suffered the ignominy of a 7-1 home defeat by Germany in the 2014 tournament — their first home loss since 1975 — and an event Scolari described at the time as the "worst day of my life".
Days later his Brazil tenure came to an end after a 3-0 defeat to the Netherlands in a third-fourth place play-off.
Reuters