Portugal's Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari says he would be interested in taking over from Sven-Goran Eriksson as England [Images] manager should the job become available after this year's World Cup finals.

"I would analyse with interest if I receive an invitation to work in England but I will only be able to talk about that at the end of my contract [with Portugal]," Scolari was quoted as saying in Sunday's Observer newspaper.

"I get happy when my name is mentioned for a job with a club or the England team but we must respect our fellow professionals," said Scolari, who guided Brazil [Images] to World Cup glory in 2002 after they beat England in the quarter-finals.

The Brazilian stressed that he is "totally committed to Portugal" until his contract ends on July 30 this year but added that he would relish a new challenge after that.

Eriksson signed a two-year contract extension taking him up to 2008 almost two years ago but last Sunday's News of the World 'fake sheikh' sting exposed him saying he would be prepared to move on should England lift the World Cup in Germany [Images] this year.

The Swede appeared to back up those comments when a report in Friday's Daily Mail quoted him as telling a private meeting of BBC employees: "If we win the World Cup I'll say goodbye and thank you. I think people will understand me doing that."

Scolari, who steered hosts Portugal to the Euro 2004 final which they lost to Greece after yet another Scolari-inspired quarter-final victory over England, was reported as saying his methods could give the England team an extra dimension.

Scolari, who is known as 'Big Phil', added that joy and simplicity would be the biggest contribution a Brazilian coach could bring to English football and said he could improve it with "a little more enjoyment, and more mobility".

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