A global journey…
Chelsea have named current Portugal boss Luiz Felipe Scolari as their new manager after the sacking of Avram Grant. He will take over at the end of Euro 2008 on 1st July as his contract with Portugal is due to run out on the day of the Euro 2008 final, 29th June.
Scolari certainly has an impressive CV having won the 2002 World Cup with Brazil and taking Portugal to the final of Euro 2004. He has also won nine domestic trophies in Brazil. The 59-year-old has never managed a European club in his career so far, but has won the Copa Libertadores, South America's knockout competition, with Brazilian clubs Gremio and Palmeiras. That international competition is the closest he has come to managing a side in the Champions League.
Amongst other men who had been linked with the Chelsea job were AC Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti, new Manchester City boss Mark Hughes and former Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini. We now know that none of these men will be heading to Stamford Bridge, nor will any of the other twenty or so names that have been mentioned!
It is strange that he should accept this job because Scolari was believed to be in the running to become England manager in 2006 but was reportedly put off the job because of fears of media intrusion. The media are hardly likely to give him an easy time when Champions League or Premier League success is the only way he can seemingly please his bosses.
Scolari is known for his disciplinary ways and will not take interference from above lightly. Mr Abramovich and Mr Kenyon may find they have met their match!
He is to be applauded for taking on this huge challenge at this stage of his career and Scolari's first competitive game as Chelsea manager will be the first Premier League match of the 2008-09 season on the weekend of 16-17 August.
I hope he knows what he has taken on!
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