Rio de Janeiro, Nov 27 (IANS): The president of Brazil's football confederation (CBF), Jose Maria Marin, says the national team's vacant coaching position is unlikely to be given to a foreigner.

The comments come amid speculation that CBF could pursue former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, reports Xinhua.

"Hiring a non-Brazilian coach is very, very unlikely," Marin said during the Soccerex event here Monday.

"We have great football people here and we have already won the World Cup five times with Brazilian coaches. That shows their value. We're going to be looking at Brazilians."

Marin also explained the CBF's decision to wait until the new year before deciding upon a replacement for Mano Menezes, who was sacked last Friday.

"We are at the end of the year and in the final stretch of the Brazilian championship," he said. "We need time to discuss it."

"We want a coach who has a winning profile and who is capable of meeting the demands of Brazilian fans. Our focus now is on winning the Confederations Cup next year."

Among the names reportedly being considered for the job are Brazil's 2002 World Cup-winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, Corinthians boss Tite, Flamengo's Abel Braga, as well as former Brazil and Real Madrid coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo.