Deco backs Scolari signing

Fluminense midfielder Deco has hailed the appointment of Luiz Felipe Scolari as the new coach of Brazil.

Scolari was named as Mano Menezes’ successor for a second time, with the 64-year-old’s previous spell culminating in victory at the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

Brazil have since failed to enjoy such success on the global stage, but Deco – who worked with Scolari at Portugal and Chelsea – is adamant his two-time mentor is the ideal choice for the role.

“Beside being a good friend, I admire Felipao for all he represents in Brazilian football and has done to help my career,” he told ESPN Brasil.

“We worked together for many years, so he is a guy that I will always appreciate greatly.

“I believe the idea is bring the Selecao back to the supporters, and he is the guy that knows how to.

“He has plenty of charisma, star quality and everything to bring the good times back to Brazil.”

Fluminense recently lifted the Brasileiro title leading to 35-year-old Deco saying he is beginning to contemplate hanging up his boots.

“If I say that I’m going stop at the end of next year, it’s a risk,” he added. “But I want to finish on a high. I am 35 years old, so there’s not long left.

“I have other plans and other interests, but I can keep that for later. It all depends how next year will pan out and how my body feels so it’s very hard to predict (when exactly I will stop playing).”