Despite only being fourth favourite, Luiz Felipe Scolari is emerging as a late contender for the England manager's job, according to reports.

Although Scolari, the current Portugal boss, is only rated as 16-1 with Steve McClaren still odds-on favourite to succeed Sven-Goran Eriksson, it is believed he had a highly-impressive second interview with the Football Association.

According to London The Times, the FA will decide between the two after senior councillors previously committed to only English candidates would now consider another foreign option.

Scolari, who won the World Cup with Brazil before leading Portugal to the final of Euro 2004, has the support of FA vice-chairman David Dein, the man responsible for bringing Arsene Wenger to English football.

The Times also claims Alan Curbishley and Martin O'Neill are no longer realistic contenders, while The Independent states that with the FA board divided over the appointment, and support for McClaren fading, 'Big Phil' is again being considered as an option.

Scolari's contract will run out after the World Cup and he has always maintained he will not take another job before the tournament in Germany although the FA are expected to make a decision this week.

Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce - also once talked of as a contender for the post - says he'll be surprised if Scolari does get the nod.

He said: "The groundswell of opinion from the general public is that a British-based manager will get the job.

"The FA probably pick up on what the general public want as well as what they see with their own eyes and what they hear with their own ears when they interview.

"Everyone I speak to in the street wants a British-based manager."