Kean spent time in Portugal with Coimbra and speaks Portuguese

Coventry City assistant manager Steve Kean has been linked with a coaching role at Luiz Felipe Scolari's Chelsea.

Kean spent six years as a player with Coimbra in Portugal, where he learned to speak Portuguese.

"There was contact made by someone on behalf of Mr Scolari, and I let our chairman and Chris Coleman know straight away," Kean told BBC Scotland.

"But the chairman has stated that I have a contract and I'm happy with the my project I'm working on at Coventry."

Kean had an unsuccessful spell at Celtic in the 1980s then picked up coaching jobs at Reading and Fulham, following a six-year spell as a player in Portugal.

Sky Blues' boss Chris Coleman appointed Kean as his number two in February, and he helped the West Midlands side avoid the drop from the Championship.

Chelsea are set to open talks with Coventry on a potential offer for Kean's services, but he told BBC Scotland he was eager to avoid troublesome contractual issues.

"It probably makes sense, because I can speak Portuguese, but I don't want to say too much without getting anyone into trouble," added Kean.

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Scolari, 59, was announced as Chelsea manager in the aftermath of Portugal's qualification for the quarter-finals of Euro 2008, but speaks only a little English.

However, his coaching pedigree speaks for itself. He won the 2002 World Cup with Brazil and led Portugal to the final of Euro 2004, and has also won nine domestic trophies in Brazil.

His reputation led him to be considered for the England manager's job in 2006 but he was reportedly put off the role because of fears of media intrusion.

Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho had both a Portuguese speaking assistant manager - Baltemar Brito - and an English speaking one in Steve Clarke.