...

Scolari's Chelsea appointment welcomed by players and British press

Society Materials 13 June 2008 05:43 (UTC +04:00)

The appointment of Luiz Felipe Scolari as Chelsea manager was welcomed by some of the club's players while the British press speculated that his arrival could mean the likes of Portugal midfielder Deco arriving at Stamford Bridge as well.

Chelsea confirmed that the Brazilian will fill the vacant manager's job on July 1, with Scolari succeeding Avram Grant, who was sacked last month after Chelsea's defeat in the final of the European Champions League by Manchester United.

The Brazilian, who led Brazil to World Cup victory in 2002 and is in charge of Portugal at the European Championships, is reported to have agreed a huge contract somewhere in the region of 27 million pounds over four years.

And some of Chelsea's current players with him at Euro 2008 have praised his appointment.

"He is a great manager and a big personality. He's the kind of guy that players respond to and I think we can go forward with him," said defender Ricardo Carvalho, at Euro 2008 as part of Scolari's team.

Carvalho has been heavily linked with a move to Inter Milan, where he would team up again with former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho. The arrival of Scolari, though, could make him change his mind.

With Frank Lampard also heavily linked with a move abroad, The Guardian said Scolari could persuade Portugal midfielder Deco to leave Barcelona, where he has fallen out of favour.

"Under the direction of the Portugal coach, Deco has started to excel once more," The Guardian said. "(Against the Czech Republic), a midfielder who had almost vanished at Barcelona held the attention of everyone. He is capable of doing likewise in London."

Deco's agent, Acaz Fellegger, said all rumours were simply speculation, but admitted that Deco would be leaving Barcelona, while earlier this week, Deco said he would love to work with Scolari at club level.

"He is a coach with whom I have a great trust and a relationship that is impossible to better," Deco said.

Scolari is renowned as a hard task-master who does not suffer fools - he once slapped one of his players after a match - and The Sun said Chelsea fans should expect fireworks from their new manager.

"The man known as Big Phil is notoriously touchy when it comes to his dealings with the Fourth Estate," The Sun said.

"In Portugal, there is no love lost on either side. At the press conference that followed the nervous goalless draw at home to Finland that earned Portugal qualification for Euro 2008, he exploded after criticism of his team.

"'So you think I'm some sort of donkey?' he shouted. 'You think I'm a terrible coach?' How he will react when Chelsea lose a couple of games and come in for the usual Press criticism will be fascinating."

The Mirror agreed, saying: "Like Mourinho, Scolari loves a ruck.

"He always has, brawling with authority in Brazil, taking on the big-city sides who sneered at him as a country bumpkin, prepared to do anything to win football matches. But throughout his career as a coach, Scolari has been exactly that - a winner."

Portugal right-back Jose Bosingwa has already joined Chelsea - did they already have Scolari's agreement at the time? - and more big signings are likely to come with owner Roman Abramovich desperate to win the league title again and a first Champions League crown.

The Mail says Abramovich will hand Scolari more than 100 million pounds to spend in the transfer market, while several newspapers said that Scolari's distaste for press intrusion - the reason he gave for not taking the England manager's job - will be his biggest test, dpa reported.

Latest

Latest