Former Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster claims he is on the verge
of accepting an offer to coach the Ivory Coast at the World Cup.
The 50-year-old has been out of work since being sacked by
Madrid over 15 months ago and his name has been linked with every
vacancy in Germany since then, but his next challenge is likely to
be in South Africa this summer.
"I can coach the Ivory Coast, but only during the World Cup
in South Africa," he told the Express newspaper in his homeland.
"That would be a fantastic thing. The decision will be made
in the next few days."
The Ivory Coast are still searching for a coach after
dismissing Vahid Halihodzic shortly after the African Nations' Cup
earlier this year and Schuster is the latest name to be linked with
the job.
However, Schuster wants to return to the Bundesliga, so will
only take the job if it is on a short-term basis, freeing him to
return to club football next season.
"I am very motivated by the Bundesliga," he added. "There are
fantastic stadia, incredible fans and I still have a score to
settle.
"I want to prove also in Germany that I am an excellent
coach."
Schuster is currently being linked with the defending German
champions Wolfsburg, who are searching for a new coach to take over
next season.
It was reported in the English press today that former
England and Mexico coach Sven-Goran Eriksson would be the Ivory
Coast's World Cup coach, but the Swede's agent Athole Still today
told Press Association Sport that those reports were premature.
He confirmed talks had taken place with the Ivorian
federation "weeks ago" but said he was waiting for official
notification either way from federation president Jacques Anouma.
