Next Brazil coach not likely to be foreign

SAO PAULO (AP) -- The president of the Brazilian football federation says he is not likely to hire a foreign coach for the Brazil national team.

Despite reports that former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola is a candidate for the job, federation president Jose Maria Marin said Monday that he prefers a local name to replace Mano Menezes, who was fired last week.

Marin said he really "respects'' Guardiola, but noted that "all five world titles won by Brazil came with Brazilian coaches.''

He also said the next Brazil coach must have a "winning profile'' to lead that team at the 2014 World Cup that the nation will host.

One of the reported front-runners for the job is Luiz Felipe Scolari, who is unemployed and led Brazil to the 2002 World Cup title.