Benfica have released a statement confirming that they have held preliminary talks with Manchester City manager Sven Goran Eriksson, but said they will not reveal any more information until the end of the season.

Manchester United assistant coach Carlos Queiroz is another name to have been linked with the top job at the Estadio da Luz, but club spokesman Ricardo Maia said Eriksson was their only target.

"At the moment our coach vacancy has been centred on Eriksson and we will not reveal other names," he said.

"More details about our future coach will be announced next week when the Portuguese league and the Premier League finish."

A statement on Benfica's website said: "Following media reports, the club can confirm that it has had preliminary conversations with Mr Eriksson to fulfil our main coach vacancy.

"So far we have not discussed any contract details, such as duration or salaries."

If appointed, Eriksson would be beginning his third spell in charge of Benfica.

Meanwhile, Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has dismissed speculation linking him with the managerial post at City.

Rumours have suggested that 'Big Phil' is being lined up as a replacement for Eriksson, but Scolari has insisted that no agreement is in place.

"Portugal offers me everything I need," Scolari said in an interview with Portuguese broadcaster RTP.

"I have no agreement with that club."

The Brazilian voiced his respect for Eriksson, describing the Swede as "a gentleman" and adding, "I like him as a person and as coach."

The 59-year-old also disclosed information about jobs he had been close to accepting in the past.

"Benfica contacted me [in 2004], but because someone leaked the conversations to the media I refused," he said.

"The same thing happened with the English FA. They came to Lisbon, but suddenly everything was in the media."

Scolari claimed he had also been "contacted by Real Madrid and Barcelona" in the past.

"It was the wrong timing as I had just signed with Portugal FA," added Scolari, who began his stint as Portugal coach in 2003.

Tom Williams / Eurosport