The 59-year-old Brazilian, whose side play their final Euro 2008 Group A match against already-eliminated co-hosts Switzerland on tomorrow, will take up the reins at Stamford Bridge on July 1.

Scolari claims the Blues post was simply too good an offer to turn down.

"I'm 59, I'm going to turn 60 very soon (in November)," he said.

"I don't want to coach until I'm 70. I want to work for four or five more years and then retire.

"Money did matter but it was not the only reason. You only get an opportunity once so it's take it or leave it."

Scolari also pointed to other opportunities for his family in England as reason for his choice.

"I've got a family; other possibilities are opened up for me," he said.

"I might offer my eldest son or my youngest son the opportunity to come with me and study... sometimes it is good to change things, it's positive. So I didn't decide on the change only because we couldn't get the sums right (with Portugal)."

Scolari insists his decision has not changed his approach to his present job or his relationship with the Portuguese football federation, but revealed he had turned down the chance to sign a new deal after holding talks with his current employers.

"Every decision was taken with the parties involved knowing what happened, namely the president of the Portuguese Football Federation who looked for assistance with some sponsors," he said. "He tried to get their help but they didn't give their assistance.

"We wanted to get a similar proposal (as Chelsea's) but after having done that they told me I was free to negotiate with whomever I wished to negotiate. I negotiated.

"We all knew one day we would start and one day we would end. The president did his utmost, but my assignment will end at the end of the Euros."

Scolari continued: "We should stop touching upon this topic because it is not going to change. We tried, we did our utmost on each side.

"But there are numbers, and based on these numbers we decided the best thing for me was what was decided a few days ago."

Scolari, who will succeed Avram Grant at the west London club, gave little away about what sort of boss he will be.

"You have to ask my wife, she knows best - get in touch with her!" he said when asked to describe what kind of person he is.

"I am what you see, I'm the person you are talking to. I like to play, I like jokes, I like a good atmosphere, I feel comfortable anywhere in the world because I establish good relationships with the people who surround me.

"I don't like high society. I don't like to go to parties. I'm shy! But I have a good relationship with my players and that's the most important thing.

"I speak English with my players, I speak German, I speak Italian... don't worry, the language of football is only one."

Scolari does not believe he will have any problems fitting back into the club coaching scene either, despite having spent the last seven years away from it.

"I spent my life coaching clubs," he said. "I know all the ins and outs of coaching clubs. It's no problem to me."

The timing of the announcement that Brazil's 2002 World Cup-winning coach will switch to Stamford Bridge after the Euros - which came shortly after Wednesday's 3-1 win over Czech Republic - raised a few eyebrows.

But Scolari is ready to carry the can if it affects his side and causes them to go out in the quarter-final.

"If Portugal were to go out, I am always responsible," he said.

Scolari insists, however, that he will remain completely focused on Portugal's bid for European glory before moving to England.

The Portuguese face the Swiss at Basle's St Jakob-Park on Sunday night before a last-eight clash with the runners-up from Group B - probably Germany - on Thursday at the same stadium.

Scolari is keen to go out on a high.

"That's all I've been dreaming of. I'm not saying goodbye, I'm saying 'ciao, see you later'.

"At the moment I'm here with my soul, with my body completely involved until the end. What happens next is another chapter but I hope we can get to another final."

Scolari ended by promising he will leave Portugal on good terms.

"I'm working until the end (of the Euros)" he said. "We have a very good atmosphere, the relationship is great.

"I adore everything I have been doing up to now.

"I like the players more and more as time goes by.

"And I feel very strongly for the Portuguese people, I am very fond of them. The only thing that will change will be the country I am based in. Let's put a final stop to it.

"I don't want to talk about the future, I'm only talking about the present."