The 2002 World Cup semi-finalists made an approach to Vogts’s representative last month because they saw him as a possible candidate to replace Humberto Coelho, the former Portugal manager, who resigned after a humiliating 0-0 draw with the Maldives. The Koreans were prepared to double 57-year-old Vogts’s current salary of £500,000- a-year, including qualification bonuses, but despite speculation that he will be sacked by the SFA if the World Cup qualifying campaign begins badly, Vogts has rejected their overtures.
“I am happy in Scotland,” said Vogts, who is currently at Euro 2004 in Portugal as part of Uefa’s technical study group. “Scotland is my new home and I think I can qualify for the next World Cup. I want to be here to go for that success. Being with Scotland is the only thing on my mind just now. I only want to concentrate on working with my boys and getting to Germany.”
Vogts was also sounded out by Turkey after they sacked Senol Gunes in March, and both countries would have represented promotions in terms of their place in the FIFA world rankings. Scotland are currently 55th, South Korea are 20th and Turkey are joint fifth.
The South Koreans’ initial shortlist for the job included Luiz Felipe Scolari, Portugal’s current manager, Gunes, Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy and Bruno Metsu, who coached Senegal to victory over France in the opening match of the 2002 finals in Seoul. Yesterday they appointed Dutchman Jo Bonfrere, meaning the former Nigeria manager will be in place before Korea’s Asian Cup campaign begins later this month.
Vogts, meanwhile, is focusing on Scotland’s World Cup qualifying campaign which begins against Slovenia on September 8. After watching Italy, the top seeds in Scotland’s group, draw with Denmark and Sweden in the opening week of Euro 2004, Vogts believes a full strength Scotland can defeat them at Hampden. “We are so different at home than away,” he said. “If I have all the players available, then I think at home we can beat Italy.”
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Group D underdogs Latvia pulled off the biggest shock so far of Euro 2004 when they held World Cup runners-up Germany to a 0-0 draw. “This is historical,” said Latvia coach Aleksandrs Starkovs. “It’s our first point in a big tournament and I am very happy for the team and the country.”