Portugal head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari appears to have ruled himself out of the running to be the new England boss.

Scolari has been mentioned as a possible contender to replace Sven Goran Eriksson as England head coach at the end of the World Cup.

The former Brazil boss, who, if offered the job, would have to learn English before taking up the position, is thought to have had an interview with The Football Association, as they search for a replacement for Eriksson before the World Cup begins.

But Scolari has now distanced himself from the England job by revealing he would only make a decision on his future after this summer's World Cup Finals.

“After 31 July I will think about my future,” said Scolari. “I have talked with the Portuguese Football Association's president and we have decided that we will talk after the World Cup.

"I do not know where I will be after Germany.”

With Scolari out of the running, this means that Middlesbrough manager and England assistant coach Steve McClaren is now the clear favourite for the job after his success with the North-East club this season.

McClaren will travel with England to Germany as Eriksson's first team coach and the Swede's assistant Tord Grip insists having his possible successor alongside him at the World Cup will provide no problem.

"If Steve (McClaren) is named as Sven's successor, it shouldn't be a problem," Grip told the Mail on Sunday.

“This is the third tournament now that Steve has been with us and he knows his role with Sven as head coach.

“I think it is good for everybody that we are going to hear who the next man is.”

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