Luiz Felipe Scolari opened the door last night for a move to Chelsea by suggesting that he is willing to listen to offers during the European Championship finals. The Portugal coach said that he will announce a decision on his future when his contract expires at the end of the tournament but implied that he is willing to negotiate with potential suitors while it is taking place.

Scolari’s position is strengthened because he is the first of the leading candidates on Chelsea’s shortlist to declare his interest. Carlo Ancelotti rejected an offer of £7 million a year and chose to stay with AC Milan, Guus Hiddink, the Russia coach, and Luciano Spalletti, of AS Roma, have ruled themselves out, leaving only fringe candidates such as Frank Rijkaard, Roberto Mancini and Didier Deschamps.

Scolari made similar comments when turning down the England job before the 2006 World Cup finals, but the crucial difference is that, unlike the FA, Chelsea are prepared to wait until after the tournament to announce their new manager. “I’m here as the Portugal coach and will work hard for them to the end of the Euros,” Scolari said. “It might be the first or second or last phase, but I hope we will be in the final.

“What’s going to happen to me after the Euros, if I stay or go, concerns me and I’m not going to talk about it now. If I decide to stay or go, I will make a declaration after. If something happens during the Euros, I’m not going to answer. Things might go this way or that way, but I’m here to work for this tournament.”

Any Chelsea officials catching a glimpse of his press conference before Portugal’s opening match against Turkey this evening could not fail to be impressed, with Scolari coming across as a statesmanlike version of José Mourinho. The Brazilian has Mourinho’s wit and aggression but not the paranoia that brought his reign at Stamford Bridge to a premature end, while also sending out his teams to play in a style that would bring a smile even to the face of Roman Abramovich, the owner.

With doubts over his own future and that of his best player, Cristiano Ronaldo regarding his future at Manchester United, Scolari has had plenty to contend with, although he insists that the speculation has not become a distraction to either party. The 58-year-old must also cope with the pressure of Portugal being one of the pre-tournament favourites, but he is hoping that divine intervention will prevent a repeat of their shock defeat by Greece in the opening match of Euro 2004.

“If I had doubts about Ronaldo, I wouldn’t have selected him or named him,” Scolari said. “I trust him and he’s been developing really well. I trust him as an athlete and a human being. He grows with these difficult situations.

“It will be very disappointing for me, most of all, if we don’t get through the first phase. I was given seven or eight images of Our Lady of Fatima back in Portugal. I have one in my room to protect me.”