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 said today 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.
