By Phil McNulty Chief football writer

Scolari's credentials and experience make him an ideal choice

The Football Association's tortuous search for a successor to Sven-Goran Eriksson may have been questioned - but no-one can doubt the pedigree of the man they have settled on.

Chief executive Brian Barwick was believed to have pin-pointed Martin O'Neill as first choice to take England forward to the next European Championship and World Cup.

But if Barwick can complete a deal to land Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, he can ultimately feel happy with a job well done.

If Barwick was forced to search for a compromise candidate as O'Neill failed to get the required approval rating inside Soho Square, a man with a World Cup win with Brazil in 2002 and a Euro 2004 final with Portugal on his CV is a perfect alternative.

Scolari move divides opinion

Of course, the traditionalists will throw up their hands in horror and complain in xenophobic fashion about "Johnny Foreigner" - rather like those who waded into Eriksson for the crime of not being Terry Venables.

And yes, an English manager would have been preferable, but this is surely a red herring.

Is Barwick expected to settle for second best or the downright unsuitable simply to fulfil a misplaced sense of national pride?

No. Barwick's job is to deliver a man to win a World Cup - and Scolari has proved he can deliver.

Scolari is an extrovert who is the opposite of Sven-Goran Eriksson

Is Scolari's track record at national level better than Steve McClaren's, Sam Allardyce's or Alan Curbishley's?

The answer is a resounding "yes" and no amount of bleating from the old guard or the League Managers' Association can change that.

And for those who question Eriksson's tactical nous, they can be happy the FA is closing in on the man who outflanked the Swede twice with Brazil and Portugal in crucial quarter-finals.

As for Scolari himself, those expecting another inscrutable Eriksson-style figure taking refuge behind the technical area are in for an awakening.

After watching another Scolari masterclass in media grandstanding after a victory against Holland in the Euro 2004 semi-final, I wrote: "If the antithesis of Sven-Goran Eriksson had been invented, it would have come in the shape of Luiz Felipe Scolari."

Feature: The Scolari story

"Big Phil" was the showman of Euro 2004 - his touchline antics a performance in themselves and his media conferences a bizarre mixture of grand gestures, comedy, fury and conciliation - often all in the space of 30 seconds.

Scolari celebrated a crucial win by announcing he was off to give his wife a hug - and more besides.

He stopped a press conference to swat a fly, and left the room after victory against England with arms held aloft in triumph and blowing extravagant kisses to the assembled media.

When asked if he wanted to stay with Portugal, he pointed to his wedding ring and announced he wished to consummate a footballing marriage with them.

Scolari took a firm line with Figo despite his iconic status

It is safe to say this is not another Eriksson. Scolari's showmanship hides a steel and tactical appreciation that has twice proved too much for England - and a powerful weapon to strike down his detractors.

He was evangelical in preaching tactical discipline in Japan in 2002 and Portugal two years later, with world stars being welded into a no-frills framework for success.

And do not expect him to worship at the altar of David Beckham. The untouchable will not escape Scolari's scrutiny.

Luis Figo was the national icon and his face was the image of his country's Euro 2004 campaign, but when the member of the "golden generation" was not delivering against England in that tense quarter-final in the Stadium of Light, he was ruthlessly removed from the action.

Figo in Scolari's shadow

Figo was criticised by a stunned nation for his sulking reaction, while Scolari was elevated to heroic status after his move helped turn defeat into victory.

Scolari also stood firm in the face of revolt in a move that put down a marker for his successful reign as Portugal coach.

When he decided to draft in the Brazilian-born midfield man Deco, Scolari was met with dissenting voices from proud men of Portugal such as Figo and Rui Costa.

Scolari's response was simple: "Anyone who does not want to play with Deco need not turn up."

Barwick may yet have to turn to one of his other candidates if talks with Scolari falter, and it is no reflection of the capabilities of McClaren, Allardyce or Curbishley that the Brazilian appears to have been selected ahead of them.

But if Barwick can close the deal to bring Scolari to England after this summer's World Cup, then all the criticism and questions he has faced may have been worth the trouble.