Portugal’s coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has declared that he will relinquish his post after the European Championship 2008 to be hosted by Austria and Switzerland.

The Brazilian coach has been quoted as saying by 'Record' that he felt six years in charge with a team was enough.

Big Phil’s statement comes a day after Portuguese manager of the Premiership champions Chelsea, Jose Mourinho went on record saying he would like to coach Portugal before he retires from football. However, the 43-year-old Mourinho is under contract with the Blues till 2010.

The 58-year-old had earlier signed two years extension with Portugal after his initial term came to an end after the World Cup finals in Germany in June-July. His term will also end in 2008.

Scolari in his impressive career as a coach has won the 2002 World Cup with Brazil before guiding Portugal to the Euro 2004 final and to this year's World Cup semi-finals - their first in 40 years.

“The work of a coach is limited to five or six years,” he said.

“We are already in this time frame but after that, things become more difficult, because they create habits and links with the players which can result in things deteriorating,” added Scolari, who was awarded the paper's Portuguese sports personality of the year.

Scolari, who was approached both by Portuguese giants Benfica in 2004 and England prior to the last World Cup finals, said he was not clear about what he would do after he finished with Portugal but he would probably coach a club.

“I could stay here (in Portugal), go to another European country or return to Brazil. I just don't know.”

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