Scolari determined to emulate World Cup great

Mar 12, 2013 5:15:00 PM

The Selecao coach is driven to become only the second person to lead a nation to World Cup victory twice, after Vittorio Pozzo did it in the 1930s, at next summer's tournament

Luis Felipe Scolari is determined to win the World Cup with Brazil on home soil in 2014, emulating Italy legend Vittorio Pozzo's double success.

Scolari won the 2002 tournament with the Selecao and is looking to repeat the feat after retaking the job in November 2012, replacing Mano Menezes.

"Now it's up to us to win the World Cup at home,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Playing a World Cup at home and going down in history tempted me back. The only coach who has won two World Championships was Vittorio Pozzo, in 1934 and 1938. I want to be the second.

“Italy lost a World Cup at home, France and Germany as well. All three, however, have also won one at home. Now it's our turn: this is what I will say to the team. I want to talk only of positive things. Before the final of the 2002 World Cup, we did not speak of the problem with Ronaldo in 1998 and with him we won.”

The former Chelsea boss also reflected on his time with the Blues and admits that, while the owner was not the reason why he left the London club, some of the players did have a part in his departure.

He continued: "The results were not spectacular, but they were decent. I had problems with two or three players that made it difficult for me to stay.

"Abramovich was not a problem. He was a good president, never intruded. For me it was sad to leave English football, I liked the organisation, the fans, and the style of the club.”

Scolari also spoke of the coaches that he holds in high regard.

He said: "[Jose] Mourinho is one for sure, [Pep] Guardiola another, [Vicente] Del Bosque was voted best coach in the world and [Sir Alex] Ferguson is the best of the past 20 years.”

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