Luiz Felipe Scolari has confessed that he found it extremely difficult to turn down the chance to manage the English national team.

The 64-year-old was approached by the Football Association after Sven-Goran Eriksson had made it known that he was to step down from the role after the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

However, Scolari opted against taking on the job, with some reports having claimed that he did not want to deal with the media pressure.

Speaking ahead of his Brazil side's friendly with the Three Lions tomorrow night, Scolari admitted that he had been left hurt by the missed opportunity.

"Of course it hurts, it hurts a lot because I would have loved to have been manager of the England national team. Who wouldn't?" he told reporters.

Steve McClaren eventually succeeded Eriksson, but only lasted 12 months at the helm.

Written by
Liam Apicella