Scolari defends managerial record

The friendly is Scolari’s first game back as Brazil manager, but his recent record has been patchy in England, Uzbekistan and Brazil, where the last team he coached, Palmeiras, were relegated.

“When I left, Chelsea were in a qualifying position for the Champions League, third in the league, and still in the FA Cup,” he said. “The [results] were reasonably good, my problems were elsewhere.”

“Bundyodor won the [Uzbek] championship unbeaten with 28 wins and two draws. Uzbekistan are top of their World Cup qualifying group and they have never qualified before, so we must have done something right there, not just me but all the Brazilians who are there.

“Palmeiras hadn’t won anything for 10 years until last year. So I don’t know why I don’t deserve another chance with Brazil.”