LONDON (National team)- Former England basketball coach Peter Scantlebury admits he has been approached about taking charge of the Great Britain team but insists he is not interested in the post.
Scantlebury, who performed the dual role of Sheffield Sharks and England coach for the last three years, has decided to bow out of the international arena after his contract as England coach expired after the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne where they won the bronze medal.
Scantlebury told PA Sport: "Yes I was sort of sounded out for the Great Britain post and asked if I was going to put my name forward.
"But I've decided to take some time out and recharge my batteries after a stressful last three years with both England and Sheffield Sharks. I want to spend some more time with my family."
Scantlebury, though, feels Great Britain - who have been drawn in the same group as Belarus, Netherlands, the Slovak Republic and Belarus - have a real chance of gaining promotion to Division A if they can employ the right man.
He added: "To be honest I don't know what type of coach they are looking for but it has to be one with European experience and one with knowledge of the British players playing in Europe.
"As the coach he will often only have his squad for a short period of time before the game in which to make them do well. So if they can find someone like that they've got their man."
The importance of gaining promotion to Division A has heightened as GB aim to qualify for EuroBasket 2009 and more importantly have a team in the 2012 Olympics.
The host country at the Olympics normally have a place reserved for them in the competition, but the governing body of the sport FIBA has intimated that GB will not be awarded a place unless they can convince them they will provide a competitive team.
Great Britain are expected to name their new coach within the next weeks, as they start to prepare for their first game against the Slovak Republic on September 3.
By Soriebah Kajue, PA Sport