- Title: VARIOUS: SOCCER/FOOTBALL - Scolari appointed Chelsea manager
- Date: 13th June 2008
- Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UK (FILE - SEPTEMBER 17, 2007) (REUTERS) JOSE MOURINHO TRAINING CHELSEA PLAYERS ON THE PITCH
- Embargoed: 28th June 2008 13:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVA7W42K73ILDX066TGFM9M73K3P
- Story Text: Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari will become Chelsea's new manager on July 1, the Premier League club said on Wednesday (June 11).
The 59-year-old Scolari, currently in charge of Portugal, takes over from Israeli Avram Grant who was sacked in May, just eight months after replacing Jose Mourinho.
Scolari, who turned down the England coaching job in 2006, was one of several high-profile candidates linked with the Chelsea vacancy since Grant's departure.
Scolari's Portugal have won both their matches at the Euro 2008 finals so far and are guaranteed a place in the quarter-finals.
The Brazilian told his squad of his decision to take charge of Chelsea next season after his team's 3-1 win over Czech Republic, the Portuguese federation (FPF) said.
The FPF also thanked Scolari for his work over the past five years in a statement on their Web site (www.fpf.pt) and published a photo of him and FPF president Gilberto Madail announcing the decision to an applauding squad after Wednesday's match.
Chelsea added they would not be making any further comment until Scolari joined them.
The Sports daily A Bola said Chelsea had told Scolari they could not delay naming him as their new coach until the end of the tournament and that the Brazilian would sign a three-year contract worth 6.0 million euros ($9.31 million) per season.
It also said on its Web site (www.abola.pt) that Scolari had told Chelsea he would only agree to the advanced announcement when Portugal secured their passage to the knockout stage.
Scolari is unlikely to speak to media again until his next news conference on Saturday, eve of the last Group A match against eliminated co-hosts Switzerland.
He is looking for his second major international tournament victory after leading Brazil to the World Cup in 2002. He took over as Portugal coach in 2003.
Scolari, nicknamed Felipao (Big Phil) in his native Brazil, is known for his feisty temperament but is regarded as one of the world's most astute coaches and has a glittering record of success.
He won several domestic honours as coach of various top Brazilian club sides including Gremio, Palmeiras and Cruzeiro and has also worked in Saudi Arabia.
Scolari becomes the fourth coach at Chelsea since Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003.
Chelsea finished without any silverware last season, just missing out to Manchester United in the Premier League and then on penalties to United in the Champions League final in Moscow in May. They also reached the League Cup final.
Despite his impressive results, the fans struggled to warm to Grant after the controversial exit of Mourinho who won two Premier League titles and both domestic cups for Chelsea before falling out with Abramovich. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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