Scolari keen to end coaching career at Boca Juniors

BUENOS AIRES - Brazil World Cup-winning manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has revealed a wish to end his decorated coaching career with Argentine giants Boca Juniors.

Scolari has been without a club since January, when he parted ways with Cruzeiro after helping them avoid relegation to Brazilian football's third tier.

"I think I would identify myself with Boca," the 72-year-old told Argentina's Super Deportivo radio station on Thursday. "It would be wonderful to have the opportunity to manage there.

"A year ago, when the club had [presidential] elections, I had a chance to coach Boca but that opportunity didn't eventuate. Beyond Brazil, I never had the opportunity to coach in South America and it would be ideal to finish my career there [at Boca]."

The former Chelsea boss also revealed a deep admiration for current Argentina captain Lionel Messi and the Albiceleste's 1986 World Cup hero Diego Maradona, who died of a heart attack last November aged 60.

"Maradona was the best footballer in the world. I always say that one thing missing on my CV is not having managed Maradona and Messi," Scolari said.

"I've able to work with great players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldo, Figo. They were fantastic. I met Maradona in England. We talked about players and national teams. What did I feel? One thing I felt was respect for him."

On the possibility of one-day coaching Messi, Scolari said: "It would surpass the joy of all my titles and it would make a lot of difference in my career to manage him."

Scolari has had successful spells in charge of teams including China's Guangzhou Evergrande (now Guangzhou FC) on three different continents. As an international head coach, he won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002 and led Portugal to the final of Euro 2004.