no big phil anyways now

http://msnsport.skysports.com/list.a...F+ENGLAND+RACE

Luiz Felipe Scolari has sensationally withdrawn his interest in becoming England's next coach.

The current Portugal national team boss announced his decision at a press conference in Germany, where he was expected to provide an update on the England situation.

But while the expectation was for the Brazilian to either confirm, or deny, if he had already agreed to replace Sven Goran Eriksson, Scolari declared he no longer wanted the job.

Scolari has claimed the huge interest over the past 24 hours has prompted him to pull out of the process for succeeding Eriksson after the World Cup.

After The Football Association's chief executive Brian Barwick returned to England on Thursday, following talks with Scolari, there was a mass media scrum outside the Brazilian's house.

He has decided the intrusion into his personal life is not something he wishes to live with and he has stated he will not be England's next coach.

"I will not be the next England coach," affirmed Scolari. "I was one of numerous candidates.

"I will be the Portugal coach until the end of the World Cup. Portugal at this moment cannot cope with a coach negotiating with other federations - they don't really need it at the time being.

"Yesterday I talked with a few friends who helped in my decision. There were 20 reporters in front of my house - that was too much and I didn't like it all.

"I don't like this pressure so I will definitely not be coach of England.

"I have been in talks with the English FA and I want to thank the Portuguese Federation president (Gilberto Madail) for giving me the chance to talk to them.

"I am not and will not be the England coach, but I am happy the English federation (FA) remembered my name and I expect them to name the new coach in the days to come.

"It was an interesting offer with several interesting options and I really thought about it for a long time."

Scolari's decision has placed The FA back at square one in their hunt for a successor to Eriksson.

The Swede is leaving after the World Cup finals and many within the game had been aghast at the possibility of a second consecutive foreign appointment.

The FA are now likely to look closer to home for Eriksson's replacement, with Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren previously the favourite.

Bolton Wanderers boss Sam Allardyce and Charlton Athletic chief Alan Curbishley have also been under consideration, along with former Northern Ireland international Martin O'Neill.

Following Scolari's statement, The FA confirmed they will now consider their position regarding the appointment of the next England coach.

"It is no secret that Mr Scolari is one of the candidates that The FA has spoken to as part of the recruitment process," said The FA in a statement.

"We will now reflect on his announcement before making any further comment as we move forward with the process."