Scolari won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002

Scolari cited media intrusion as the reason he decided not to accept the offer to succeed Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Scolari told the Times: "The way's now open to renegotiate my contract."

PFF president Gilberto Madail said: "The doors of the PFF remain open - now more than ever - for Luiz Felipe Scolari to stay in charge."

Scolari , who guided Portugal to the Euro 2004 final, added he had been deeply touched by the affection he has been shown since he took charge of the Portuguese national team.

"I have a message for the president that I like him, I hold him in high esteem, and I thank him for the opportunity he gave me to speak to England," Scolari said.

"I was very happy with the talks I held with the English, but I want to draw a line under the matter.

"I had the notion that this was a very important and urgent matter for Portugal. I felt their emotion and I felt that they ought to be treated like you would treat a child - with care."

Scolari began to get a sense of that affection during a dinner on Thursday in Lisbon after the FA had made its offer.

"That gave me the impression that I was leaving a family, that I was heading the national team as if I was leading my own children.

"One of the people who was there asked me to take Portugal to the World Cup as if it was the last act of my life. So I got the message loud and clear."