Luiz Felipe Scolari has the perfect credentials to lead Portugal in this summer's World Cup in Germany - after all it was Scolari, known affectionately as Felipao (Big Phil), who led his homeland Brazil to world football's ultimate prize in Japan four years ago.

He was therefore an obvious choice for Portuguese Football Federation president Gilberto Madail to lead the host nation's campaign in Euro 2004 and in leading his adopted country to runners-up spot - the first time Portugal have reached a major final - he has certainly laid the foundations for another tilt at glory.

The fact Brazil is a Portuguese-speaking nation made the transition easier for Scolari but so high is he thought of in the world game that when Sven-Goran Eriksson announced he would leave the England job after the World Cup, Scolari's name was immediately touted as a likely successor.

Scolari is a ruthless disciplinarian and does not respect reputations.

When he took the Brazil job at a time when the country was in real danger of not qualifying for the World Cup for the first time he immediately cast out the likes of Romario, Edmundo and Mario Jardel. all prolific scorers whose fondness of nightlife is legendary.

"I make the decisions about the players I want in my squads," he said.

His decisions have been no less controversial since joining Portugal and has never selected Joao Pinto, who won two youth World Cups in 1989 or 1991, while he has angered many Porto fans in constantly refusing to select goalkeeper Vitor Baia, rated by many as the best in Portugal.

His decision to call up Brazilian-born Deco rankled with some but Scolari quickly silenced dissent in the ranks when he said anyone who disagreed with his choices should say so to his face and would then be welcome to leave the national team.

Scolari's debut with Portugal had something of a fairytale ending as Deco scored the winner in the last major match ever played at Porto's old Estadio das Antas - against Brazil.

Scolari, whose military bearing has earned him the nickname of sargentao (sergeant major), showed once again how he will not shirk from taking a major decision when Euro 2004 got under way.

A 2-1 defeat at the hands of Greece in their opening game - at the time few imagined Greece would go on and win the tournament - was an awful start for the hosts.

The coach immediately made sweeping changes as Ricardo Carvalho, Deco and Miguel replaced Fernando Couto, Manuel Rui Costa and Paulo Ferreira.

The changes paid dividends and Portugal marched on to the final only to fall at the final hurdle with the Greeks once again proving the nemesis of Scolari and his team.

World Cup qualifying saw a younger looking team qualify in impressive fashion in a tough group where Russia, Slovakia, Estonia, Latvia and Liechtenstein supplied the opposition.

When the draw was made in Leipzig in December, Scolari made no attempt to hide his delight as the Portuguese were handed a relatively benign group that includes Mexico, Iran and Angola.

His blunt speaking is endearing and he will not hesitate to give a stupid question an abrupt reply.

When asked by English journalists to compare Wayne Rooney to Pele during Euro 2004 he said: "Well one's white and the other's black."

However, he does have a softer side as the father of two children and is deeply religious although unlike many Brazilian players it's something he prefers to keep private.

He will not predict whether Portugal can emulate his Brazil side of four years ago but would only say: "If we go out in the first round then I may be considered to have failed."

He believes several countries are candidates to lift the trophy in Berlin, saying: "Brazil and Argentina are stronger than Portugal - they have more options... but the Czech Republic, Holland and England are all excellent."

He also singled out Germany, saying: "(Germany coach Jurgen) Klinsmann is renovating the team, which is good. They are going to play at home."

FA vice-president David Dein is among those who are convinced Scolari could be the answer to England's problem but 'Big Phil' is remaining tight lipped for now.

He is refusing to say whether he will stay in Portugal after the summer, saying only: "I will not decide anything before or during the World Cup."

In leading Portugal to their first final in Euro 2004, Scolari has already done much to promote the fortunes of his adopted nation.

Winning the World Cup with Brazil is one thing - doing it with Portugal would be another. Why even England might have a chance in South Africa in 2010, if Scolari could be tempted to Soho Square.