Scolari set to lead Brazil’s World Cup bid

The man known as “Big Phil”, who also led Portugal to European championship and World Cup semi-finals before a short, unsuccessful spell with Chelsea, is expected to be officially named today to replace the sacked Mano Menezes.

Carlos Alberto Parreira, who led Brazil to their fourth world title in 1994, is likely to be named technical director.

In his first stint as coach, Scolari took over with the team in disarray, turned around the situation and led them to an unexpected triumph against all odds in barely more than a year at the helm, while resisting public demand for him to pick the ageing Romario.

However, many feel that the 64-year-old, who declined an offer to continue after the 2002 tournament, has lost his magic touch. His most recent job was at Palmeiras but he quit in September after a dismal run left them near the bottom of the Brazilian championship. They did not recover and were later relegated.

Scolari will have to cope with huge pressure and enormous expectations from his 190 million compatriots.

Brazil’s vast and fickle army of supporters expect the “Selecao” to win every World Cup and the pressure will be even greater as the country hosts the event.

“Pressure will be great at the World Cup and that’s understandable and we need someone who can cope with that,” CBF president Jose Maria Marin told reporters at an event in Sao Paulo, before confirming that the official announcement will be made today.