Vice-president Amandio De Carvalho has said that Scolari, who is out of contract after this summer’s European Championships is definitely on Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s radar.

He said: “I already know that Chelsea are interested in Scolari.”

Inter coach Roberto Mancini remains favourite to take over although Frank Rijkaard, Mark Hughes, Carlo Ancelloti and Gus Hiddink are also thought to be in the running for the job.

But former Italy and Juventus boss Marcello Lippi has ruled himself out after saying that he would struggle to communicate with the players because he doesn’t speak English.

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