Scolari is the new Chelsea Manager

[KURUPTION-81]

Good choice unfortunatly

Chelsea have named Portugal boss Luiz Felipe Scolari as their new manager in succession to Avram Grant.

Scolari, who is currently in charge of the Portuguese side at Euro 2008, will take over at Stamford Bridge on 1 July.

"Felipe has great qualities. He is one of the world's top coaches with a record of success at country and club level," Chelsea said in a statement.

Carlo Ancelotti, Mark Hughes and Roberto Mancini had also been linked with the job.

Chelsea added: "He gets the best out of a talented squad of players and his ambitions and expectations match ours. He was the outstanding choice.

"Out of respect for his current role and to ensure minimum disruption to this work there will be no further comment from Chelsea nor from Felipe about his new role until his employment with us commences."

Scolari, who won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002 before leading Portugal to the final of Euro 2004, was believed to be in the running to become England manager in 2006.

He was reportedly put off the job because of fears of media intrusion, but, with his contract with the Portuguese FA due to expire on 29 June - the date of the Euro 2008 final, he has taken the opportunity to try his hand at management in the Premier League.

The 59-year-old former defender has never managed a European club, but has won the Copa Libertadores - South America's knockout competition - with Brazilian clubs Gremio and Palmeiras, as well as a Brazilian Championship (Gremio) in 1996, three Brazilian Cups and three South Rio Grande Championships.

Chelsea parted company with Grant last month, despite the Israeli taking his team to the Champions League final and second spot in the Premier League.

And former Blues player Gavin Peacock believes Scolari could be the man to take Chelsea to the next level.

"You can't argue with his record," Peacock told BBC Sport. "If you're looking for someone with charisma and presence in the dressing room, then he is your man.

"His teams play with flair so it fits in with what Chelsea say they have been looking for, but the everyday involvement, getting into the players minds is going to take time.

"I suspected that Scolari might be lined up when Chelsea signed Jose Bosingwa at the start of the summer and there was talk of Deco coming to the club."

However, he warned Scolari's lack of English could make things difficult for the Brazilian.

"My only question mark would be about his level of English. Does he speak it?" asked Peacock.

"Someone like the England manager Fabio Capello didn't speak it but he had time to learn and he has time between each England gathering, but Scolari will need to get his ideas across every day. It will be a challenge.

"As another example, (former Chelsea boss) Jose Mourinho, on his first trip away with the team for a pre-season friendly in the United States, sat on the plane with Joe Cole for two hours just getting to know him.

"Scolari will not be able to do that sort of thing."

Scolari's first competitive game as Chelsea manager will be the first Premier League game of the 2008-09 season on the weekend of 16-17 August.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/7449627.stm

[Lil White Azz]

A lil surprise...for me at least...

[Lunatic]

no surprise here - saw this one comin a mile away

would LOVE to get Carlos Quieroz (correct spelling?) take over Portugal after Euro, but i highly doubt he'll leave man utd

[K.Dub]

Fuck Chelsea.

[Lil White Azz]

Fuck Chelsea.

[Kill]

Fuck Chelsea.

yep, but Scolari is a good manager, kinda sucks to see him take that job, but well maybe Chelsea might at least start actually playing soccer

[Sweet & Tender Hooligan]

Who has Scolari managed at club level?

[bez]

hell of a choice

[Lil White Azz]

Fuck Chelsea.

yep, but Scolari is a good manager, kinda sucks to see him take that job, but well maybe Chelsea might at least start actually playing soccer

I agree

[Invincible]

Who has Scolari managed at club level?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luiz_Felipe_Scolari

Not sure how much of that is true. After all it is Wikipedia.

[Kill]

^ Wikipedia is much more reliable than some people suggest it should be...unless it's crucial that your information be fully verified, your best guess should be to just believe it

[KURUPTION-81]

Who has Scolari managed at club level?

none in European football but he has managed gremino and a few other Brazilian sides, all successfully.

[Sweet & Tender Hooligan]

Hmm, i still dont know about this one. Cant see him getting the best of Fergie, no matter how much money he throws at players. Im pretty sure managing in Brazil at club level and managing an English team will be a million miles apart. Sure is going to be interesting though, as i dont think he will get on with Wenger or Ferguson.

[Lunatic]

he's a fantastic coach, i don't think he'll have a problem - although i was calling for his firing a few times during euro 08 qualifying

[Elano]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/chelsea/article4293964.ece