Chelsea sack coach Luiz Felipe Scolari after only eight months in the job
February 10, 2009

CHELSEA have sacked manager Luiz Felipe Scolari after falling behind in the Barclays Premier League title race, the club announced on Tuesday morning (EDT).

The Blues lie fourth in the table, seven points behind leaders Manchester United after being booed off the pitch by their own fans at Stamford Bridge following a goalless draw with top-flight new boys Hull City on the weekend.

"Unfortunately, the results and performances of the team appeared to be deteriorating at a key time in the season," a Chelsea statement confirming Scolari's dismissal said.

"In order to maintain a challenge for the trophies we are still competing for we felt the only option was to make the change now."

Scolari, the 2002 World Cup-winning coach of Brazil, was in his first season at the club owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, and he was sacked with immediate effect.

Chelsea's statement added: "The search for a new manager had already started and we hope to have someone in place as soon as possible.

"Felipe has brought many positives to the club since he joined, and we all feel a sense of sadness that our relationship has ended so soon."

Assistant manager Ray Wilkins, a former Chelsea captain, will take charge of Chelsea on a temporary basis.

Sky Sports News reported that Russia coach Guus Hiddink, linked with the Chelsea job last year, was a candidate to take over.

Reports also said that Avram Grant, the man Scolari replaced in July, could return to the club, although he has also been linked with the vacancy at Portsmouth, after Tony Adams was sacked.

Some Chelsea fans during the weekend match called for former player Gianfranco Zola, now in charge of London rivals West Ham, to replace Scolari.

But the Italian's lawyer, Fulvio Marrucco, in a statement quoted by Sky, said that no approach had been made by Chelsea for Zola.

"At the moment we know nothing about the link between Gianfranco Zola and the vacant position at Chelsea,'' Marrucco said.

"Gianfranco is very happy at West Ham and still thanks them for giving him the opportunity to be a coach in the Premier League.

"It is very difficult to say if anything will happen, but Chelsea is a special place for Gianfranco Zola.''

But West Ham have warned Chelsea to keep their hands off Zola.

A Hammers board member told BBC Sport: "We've not received any contact from Chelsea and will not welcome any."

"We are delighted with the job Zola and (assistant coach Steve) Clarke are doing and they are not leaving.

"Gianfranco and Steve are under contract here for three years and we want them to stay."

Scolari, who won the 2002 World Cup with Brazil, was manager of Portugal before he took over at Chelsea - his first job in European club management.

Chelsea great John Hollins said that lack of experience of club football had ultimately counted against the 60-year-old.

"You can't knock him for what he's done internationally but club football is a different ball game," Hollins, who after playing for Chelsea managed the club for three years in the 1980s, told Sky Sports.

"I feel he couldn't adapt to the every day thing (of club management). Internationally he's had time to look at a game and pick a team but (Chelsea) is instant.".

Scolari is the seventh Premier League manager to be sacked or to quit this season.


Fact-file

Luiz Felipe Scolari
Date of birth: 09/11/1948
Birthplace: Passo Fundo (Brazil)
Nationality: Brazilian
Playing career:
Position: Defender
Clubs: Aymore Sao Leopoldo (1967-73), Juventude Caixas do Sul (1973-79), Novo Hamburgo (1980), Juventude Caixas do Sul (1980-81), CSA Maceio (1981)
Coaching career:
Club
Clubs: CSA Maceio (1982), Juventude Caixas do Sul (1983), Brasil Pelotas (1983), Al Shabab (KSA/1984-85), Goias (1986), Gremio de Porto Alegre (1987), Al Qadisiya (KUW/1988-90), Curitiba (1990), Criciuma (1991), Al Qadisiya (KUW/1992), Gremio de Porto Alegre (1993-96), Jubilo Iwata (JPN/1996), Curitiba, Goias, Palmeiras (1998-2000), Cruzeiro (2000-2001), Chelsea (June 2008 - February 2009)
Honours as club coach:
2 Copa Libertadores (1995, 1999)
1 Copa Mercosur (1998)
1 South American Cup of Cups (1996)
1 Brazilian Championship (1996)
3 Rio Grande do Sul Championships (1987, 1995, 1998)
3 Brazilian Cups (1991, 1994, 1998)peNational coach:
National Teams: Kuwait (1990), Brazil (12/06/2001 - 09/08/2002), Portugal (26/11/2002 - June 2008)
Honours:
World Cup (2002)
World Cup semi-finalist (2006)


Manager merry-go-round
Managers who have left their jobs this season

Sept 3 - Alan Curbishley (West Ham)
Sept 4 - Kevin Keegan (Newcastle)
Oct 25 - Juande Ramos (Tottenham)
Oct 26 - Harry Redknapp (Portsmouth)
Dec 4 - Roy Keane (Sunderland)
Dec 16 - Paul Ince (Blackburn Rovers)
Feb 9 - Tony Adams (Portsmouth)
Feb 9 - Luis Felipe Scolari (Chelsea)