RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 9 (UPI) -- Luiz Felipe Scolari, who guided Brazil to the 2002 World Cup title, announced Friday he will step down as national team coach.
Scolari's contract ended after the World Cup, but it was expected he would announce a new agreement.
Nicknamed "Big Phil," Scolari took over the Brazilian team in June 2001, when the perennial power appeared in danger of missing the World Cup for the first time.
Despite being disparaged by Brazilian fans and media alike in the run-up to the tournament, Scolari turned the jeers to cheers by leading Brazil to its record fifth World Cup title.
"I have spoken to (Brazilian Football Confederation president) Ricardo Teixeira and explained to him that I have some difficulties. I need to be with my family and I have other commitments," Scolari said.
Scolari will coach the team in one final match, a friendly against Paraguay on Aug. 21.
"In the next 60, 90, 120 days, until the end of the year, I will stay with my family," he said. "After that, I will look to work in Europe, which is one of my professional targets.
"If I go to a European team which is not a winning team, it will become one. And if it is already a winner, it will be even more of a winner."
The 54-year-old coached four Brazilian clubs -- Gremio (twice), Criciuma, Palmeiras and Cruzeiro -- from 1987-2001 before taking the reigns of the national team.
