Scolari slams England talk

Luke-E

Portugal coach Luis Felipe Scolari has vehemently denied holding talks with The FA regarding the English national job.

Widespread reports in the English press on Sunday insisted that the Brazilian had engaged in talks after attending the Institute of Directors' spring sporting lunch.

With Alan Curbishley the only confirmed candidate to follow Sven Goran Eriksson, it seemed as though The FA were again prepared to pursue a foreign path, despite all indications to the contrary.

However Scolari, nicknamed 'Big Phil', has now denied having any contact regarding a role with England after the World Cup finals.

"If I had to deny everything that's been written about my future, I wouldn't do anything else in the next few months," Scolari told Record.

"I was in London on Friday for a conference with Bobby Robson. I arrived at 11 in the morning, I went to the meeting site, we had a meeting with business people and it was all over at five in the afternoon.

"I got another taxi to the airport to go back to Lisbon.

"It's foolishness, and only makes sense if that (FA) director was the taxi driver."

The 2002 World Cup winner with Brazil is currently preparing Portugal for this summer's finals, and is unwilling to talk about his future plans until the end of the tournament in Germany.

Charlton sees World Cup glory

World Cup legend Bobby Charlton feels this summer is England's best chance yet to lift the World Cup.

Speaking during a special tour of the new Wembley stadium to mark the 40th anniversary of England's 1966 triumph, Charlton feels Sven Goran Eriksson's team have what it takes to emulate his success.

"I don't want to go overboard, but yeah, I think we have the players that can handle it," he told Sky Sports News.

"I wouldn't like to put too much pressure on them. They've had a hard season a lot of them anyway, but it's an opportunity they are well aware of I would think, the chance to be the best.

"Every player wants to be the best. The only way you can do that is to win the best competition."

Seven members of England's World Cup winning squad were joined by players from the West German team defeated by Geoff Hurst's hat-trick.

Dr Karol Galba, the Slovakian linesman who gave Hurst' controversial second goal also attended.

The late England captain, Bobby Moore, was represented by his widow Stephanie.

The new stadium was well received by England's record goalscorer despite recent problems with construction..

"It's terrific. All the lads have been impressed when they've come out and seen it" Charlton said.

"I would imagine when it's finished it will be absolutely perfect for football. It's not like the old Wembley. It's modern and everyone would seem to get a really good view.

"I think you can get an idea now of what it's going to be like when it's full of people.

"It's going to be terrific."

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