Scolari aims to transform Portugal

Portugal's new coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has less than two years to get them out of the doldrums after their dismal World Cup performance and bring them their first international title as Euro 2004 hosts.

The good news for the Portuguese, who were knocked out in the first round and stained the finals with their harassment of Argentine referee Angel Sanchez in the 1-0 defeat to World Cup co-hosts South Korea, is that Scolari performed a similar transformation on his native Brazil in even less time.

The man known affectionately as Big Phil will be remembered for leading Brazil from one of the lowest ebbs in their history to World Cup victory in 14 short and eventful months.

When Scolari took over in June last year, Brazil were in a danger of losing their proud record as the only country to play at every World Cup. Ominously for Scolari, he was in danger of going down in history as the man in charge when it happened.

Three defeats in his first five games -- including a humiliating Copa America loss to Honduras that almost cost him the job -- left Scolari perilously close to the precipice before his team began a timely revival.

Barely a year later, Scolari made history for a very different reason after leading Brazil to a record fifth world title and winning all seven World Cup matches in the process.

It was a fitting reward for a man who stood by his decisions, even in the face of relentless and sometimes vicious criticism.

Throughout, Scolari said he would do things his way -- which ultimately proved to be the right one.

TRANSFORMATION

He refused to pick veteran striker Romario, persisted with Rivaldo -- who seemed to turn into a lethargic, ponderous shadow of his normal self when he pulled on the Brazil shirt -- and gambled on the fitness of Ronaldo.

Finally, Scolari stuck by his 3-5-2 formation when many wanted to go back to the more conventional 4-4-2.

His confidence in Rivaldo was rewarded as the player had an outstanding World Cup, scoring five goals and setting up others including the second in the 2-0 win over Germany in the final.

Ronaldo, who had barely played in the previous two years after two knee operations, also repaid Scolari's faith by scoring eight goals, finishing the World Cup as top scorer.

The transformation of Scolari's own image was almost as astonishing as Brazil's change in fortunes.

His arrival had been greeted with enormous suspicion.

Although Scolari had won a hatful of major titles at club level, he also had a reputation for employing physical violence and gamesmanship.

He was frequently sent off from the touchline for arguing and even fighting, and had publicly encouraged his players to foul the opposition. Some commentators even dubbed it "bullyboy football".

Brazil's early games seemed to confirm the worst fears as Scolari himself warned his compatriots: "There's no more Beautiful Game. You are not going to see the Brazil of 1958, 1962 or 1970 again. We are in 2001."

But at the World Cup, Scolari showed himself to be an astute, cunning and pragmatic coach, able to dance according to the music.

He placed a huge emphasis on team spirit, banishing the vanity and clashing of egos that had often spoiled past Brazil campaigns.

By the time he returned home, Big Phil was seen as a grumpy but ultimately soft-hearted fatherly figure -- an image used by advertisers to sell televisions, fizzy drinks and long-distance telephone calls.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

Throughout his career, Scolari has an impressive record of reaching his target.

When he took over at Palmeiras, one of Brazil's most popular clubs, in mid-1997, his stated aim was to bring them their first title in the South American Libertadores Cup. In less than two years, this was achieved.

On taking charge of Brazil, his first goal was to qualify for the World Cup, another mission he successfully accomplished.

Scolari then surprised Brazilians by promising to take his discredited team to the last four of the World Cup the following year. This target was reached and surpassed.

He then set his sights on Europe, made contacts with some of the continent's leading coaches and clubs and three months later was rewarded by being made coach of Portugal.

"Some people said that I was begging for a job but this goes to show that if you want something and are prepared to go after it, you will achieve it eventually. You can't just sit around.

His next aim is to break Portugal's international duck by winning the European championship which the country hosts in 2004.

"After winning the Gulf Cup (with Kuwait), the Libertadores Cup (Palmeiras and Gremio) and the World Cup, I think the European Nations Cup is the one that's missing," he said.