Paulo Autuori, manager of Brazilian club Sao Paulo, is tempted to become the manager of J. League club Kashima Antlers, a Brazilian local daily said Friday.
The O Estado de Sao Paulo quoted Autuori as admitting that an offer from Kashima is a "temptation," while local Internet provider Universe Online said in its sports site that J. League champion Gamba Osaka is also in the hunt for his services.
Autuori steered Sao Paulo to the Club World Championship title after a 1-0 win over European champion Liverpool in the final in Yokohama on Dec. 18.
The article in the daily has caused immediate turmoil at the club, which wants to keep the prestigious coach, whose contract expires in December 2006.