Still, the bookies will be encouraged that they are right to make Scolari favourite by the fact that in previous situations, during the build-up to Euro 2004, when he was linked with Benfica and later just before the 2006 World Cup when he was tipped to become England manager, he flatly denied he would take up the posts – not the case this time.

What does seem clear is that Scolari will not say anything about his future until Portugal’s participation in Euro 2008 is over.

"I am here as the Portugal coach; I am going to work hard with the Portugal squad until the end of the Euro, which may be the first phase, the second phase or, if it is up to me, June 29 [the date of the final],"

"What is going to happen to me, whether I stay or leave, concerns me [only] and I am not going to talk about it now. I am only going to make a public declaration after the Euro.”

"I started to work for Portugal for 2004, 2006 and 2008; I might sign again or I might leave. It's a situation I'm going to examine, but I'm not going to answer this sort of question or talk about it and I'm going to stay quiet. Ronaldo will say the same thing (referring to Real Madrid´s intentions to lure him away from Old Trafford).  Euro, Euro, Euro - my life goes around that. I'm going to talk to my family and examine the possibilities, then I will decide."

However, to throw some doubt on Scolari taking the helm of Stamford Bridge, the Brazilian-born manager hinted that Chelsea may not wait around and appoint somebody else – if indeed, we are in for Scolari in the first place:

"If something happens during the Euro, I am not going to answer [questions about it]. Something might happen one way or another and things might go this way or that but I am here to work for Portugal.”

Other reports say that Scolari's agent, Gilmar Veloz, has already held “secret talks” with Peter Kenyon (If true - not that secret obviously! - Ed). 

These reports however, are of the “So and so has told close friends” type and also state that  Portugal FA chief Gilberto Madail has already accepted that Scolari will resign once Portugal are out of Euro 2008 – although, in a further twist, “to take up one of the top club jobs in Europe.”

So, are we really any wiser as to who is going to be our next manager?  Scolari, 59, hasn’t revealed that much really – except that he won’t make a statement until after Euro 2008 – and also that “something might happen” whilst the tournament is in progress.

We could probably deduce that Chelsea have made some form of approach to Scolari but perhaps having to hang around until Euro 2008 is finished is a sticky point?  Is Kenyon sat in his office, tapping his pen on the desk, deciding whether to wait or to go for another candidate? After all - there is next season to prepare for, players futures - both outgoing and incoming - to be decided.

There’s no doubting that Scolari is one of THE top managers in the game today.  He wouldn´t be my personal first choice though (I prefer Bilic or Spalletti) as I see him as a bit of a loose cannon in high pressure situations (after the match against France he threw a punch at one of the French contingent! - Imagine him decking Ferguson!) but he would certainly have the complete respect of the squad, provide top class coaching and tactics and would be a strong incentive for the best players to come to Stamford Bridge.

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