Scolari named as new Chelsea manager

Sorry, can't resist it

I hate to say I told you so……..”murmuration of cartoon starlings spelling the word Scolari the word across the sky”

One word...Gutted.

Expect an exodus of players for definite now and Chelsea FC to slide down the Premiership, big time.

As The Fast Show's Unlucky Alf might well say

"Bugger"

@TG

Let's hope your premonitions are right for the rest of the summer.

Please say that we're gonna sign Van der Vaart, Villa, Robinho and Kaka.
Then say that we'll sell Boulahrouz, Belletti, TBH, Maka, SWP, Sidwell, Malouda, Anelka, Sheva, Pizarro, Drogba.

Maybe your visions will come true.

You are dead .You are so dead. Prepare yourselves for pain. Lot´s of pain.

Ok being portuguese i´m glad .Good riddance Scolari.

But i also feel sorry for Chelsea. You are going to experience "something" very "boink" in lack of better word...

My simpathies to all of you...

By the way: the guy doesn´t coach a serious football club in arbout 12 years and all the clubs that he coached played with coconuts.

It´s very sad for Chelsea, but a clear statement about the lunacy and spoiled "child attitude" of the owner of Chelsea.

You all complained about AG and is substitutions; prepare yourselves for something worst....

I liked Habs's list of +ves and -ves, but despite my severe misgivings he is the coach and so gets the chance. I'm worried about the England boys a bit here as the ethos has been to keep the spine, but if he persuades Kaka to come and Riccy to staty then all well and good BUT I don't want an Arsenal-lime team with no English players in it. I do NOT want Brazilian and Portuguese players only thanks...a recipe for disaster.

Having said all of that, I am partial to the odd ....ahem...Brazilian :-)

Chill guys. Be positive. Its done and dusted. Im feeling the same way too but what can we do? It least he's ALOT better than Toady?

JANG

We'll see if he's better at the end of his first season..

To coin a phrase; "I have a bad feeling about this.."

Does this mean we'll be ...ahem...shorn of our unwanted undergrowth?

Underwhelmed.

An interesting summer ahead, that's for sure.

Still Portugal won today....but it was a close shave....

I'll get my own coat again....

Fuck me he does look like Gene Hackman as Popeye Doyle though.....

I've heard he's a bit of a nut though

OK, OK ...I'll stop now (maybe)

I'm a little gutted about Scolari but i'm not in a panic like Dissidentex. He's won the world cup, he has a connection with Quaresma, Robinho, Kaka and he's famed for his man management. However i hope that he doesn't just buy his previous players and fails to see that we NEED Villa, Aguero and Van der Vaart ahead of the easy options of many portugese and Brazilian players. The one thing i HATE about his appointment is his style. Kenyon kept saying that building the brand is why we tour USA, China, Russia every pre-season and yet he's 60 years old, doesn't wear the same stylish sutis as Jose or Laudrup and he can't FUCKING SPEAK ENGLISH. How is he gonna tell JT and Lamps how to play if they don't understand him?

Anyway let's put our positive heads on. WE HAVE A MANAGER!!!! Yay!!!

But Lolli, the exodus i want are the 11 players (see above) who are shit. If Ricky is gonna leave, it's because of his love for Jose and if Lamps leaves it's because of our stingy contracts. Not because of Scolari in my opinion. If we get the quality players: Van der Vaart, Villa, Aguero, Kaka we WILL WIN THE QUAD.

TONY

Stop being smutty! Or is it just my naughty mind doing overtime?!
Agree with you totally on our English quota in the team..
I foresee us being the "new Arsenal" under him. Only JT left that's English playing in an English club.
Outrageous!!

MAYBE Riccy will stay, not sure after his press conference yesterday.

Anyway, let’s look at his +/-ves

+ves:
1. PTR (yep roman loves his experience)
2. Will gain more respect from players than Avram
3. With a manager at least players will want to come to us.
4. Got some qualifications unlike Avram, which means proper training.
5. Could bring in Quaresma, Deco, Robinho, Kaka? Has worked with all of them.

-ves:
1. Doesn’t speak English
2. Portugal play shit football
3. Never managed a European club
4. Too fucking old. Gonna retire soon.
5. No style and doesn’t fit the brand.
6. Can he compete with Jose for players in terms of reputation and charisma? NO!
7. Will he start recruiting his Portugal team which means Moutinho over Van der Vaart?
8. No Laudrup.
9. Zola won’t be his assistant.

@LOLIPOP

Once again, we have to suffer the pain of waiting and anticipation. What will Big Phil's era bring to Chelsea? What kind of football will we see? All sorts of questions and ALOT OF DOUBTS! But thats part and parcel of being a modern Chelsea fan. If we can still churn out some nice results under Toady, im hopeful that Big Phil will be an improvement. Its not that we got someone worst than Average Grunt to take over us. At least we know that he tolerates no nonsense and means buisness. Come on man, lets get behind our new Grandaddy. I dont wish to waste time harping on this anymore. Its taking some toll on my lifespan and energy. I dont want to die until i see Chelsea lift the European Cup. =)

Sir Alan has chosen...

Claire and Lee which means it's gonna be Claire (Scolari)

So Sir Alan really is turning into Roman. A much poorer Roman though.

Do we change our tune from Liquidator to......Rio (Duran Duran for the younger amongst us). Will Stamford Bridge be renamed The Latin Quarter? Still, maybe the ladyboy demographic will increase on matchday.

I can't find that bloody coat.....

I think I'll give it to around October before responding - Shearer has just said on the tv that he'll probably advise Ronnie to go to Madrid. Which would be a decent enough start.

I have to say, I'm not exactly 'bristling' with excitement!!

Any coats left on the rack?

HABS

I could see us MAYBE getting Van der Vaart, MAYBE from the players you mention above. However, i doubt Villa will come to Chelsea. IF he comes to the Prem, i see him playing for Liverpool or Arsenal. As for Kaka, there's more chance of me meeting, marrying, and having a kid with SuperFrank than him coming to the club!!

Even though Alex (Laudrup) did better in my opinion in the final task, Sir Alan blindly chose Claire (Scolari) despite his +/- ves because that's who he wanted from the start.

What Roman says is final after all.

JANG

Agree..it IS draining..but this news fills me with absolute dread..i wish i shared your optimism.. :((

If Scolari doesn't bring the Samba football Roman's been craving then who will. In my opinion the manager, if he's a one in a million (Jose) can be the MOST important factor. I remeber Jose winning us two league titles with good teams but not GREAT teams. We had Robben, Lamps and JT but we also had a shit Drogba, Tiago, Kezman, Smertin and Jarosik. We won them because of Jose.

However if we have a GREAT team, then a good coach can bring us the same or more success. If Roman delivers the Kakas, Agueros, Villas, then we will play great football and win everything. Just imagine what would have happened if Jose had been given the £100m Scolari will get?

@ Lolli...is that Frank walking up your drive?

Who knows about Scolari and the Euro's, maybe he'll 'shave' the best until last

Fuck me, this blog needs a cloakroom attendant these days

Like any other bosses who interview potential employees, Roman looks at the CV. Big Phil Scolari has the World Cup in his resume which is very telling. I would love Laudrup or Deschamp to be given the chance at the managerial post of Chelsea. But our owner doesnt think that way most probably.

The new manager may be old and possibly retiring soon but im sure Roman will know about that. Like duh, he’s not that stupid at all so why is he appointing someone who is going to retire soon? Wheres the logic?

Big Phil could be building the platform for our new and beautiful style of football for the present and also for the forseeable future. He will ne the pioneer of the new project and when the likes of Laudrap or Sparky are ready in 4 to 5 years time (They should be around 50-55 by then maximum), the baton will be passed on to the supposedly ‘younger generation’ of managers for ‘on probation’ candidates.

Any other logical deductions or hypothesis?

HABS: I´M PORTUGUESE.

I´m happy that the guy get the hell out of here. But i´m feeling very sorry for Chelsea.
The only thing that Scolari has that other managers don´t have is LUCK. As we say here " the guy was born with the ass turned to the moon", because apart fro that he is a moron.

Politicaly the guy is left wing: he like sPinochet; thinks that he was a great lider.

In football terms, he didn´t make any kind of progression with the team os Portugal.

In the national team the guy didn´t work at all.

he is learning english from about 1 year now, but he doesn´t understand squat of european football. Despite the fat thathe is already in europe for 6 years.

Th behaviour that he was with the press is atrocious. When he doesn´t like the questions that are being asked he leaves the room.

He makes appeals to the "cristian" feelings of the players etc,etc.

And the guy does not coach at a club level some 12 years.

It must have been a great contract ...for him

Sir Alan has said...

"Lee, you're hired."

WHAT THE FUCK. That means Claire (Scolari) didn't get it and that Lee (Mark Hughes) won it. Should Roman have followed Sir Alan and chosen Hughes over Scolari?

TONY

I WISH!!! :)))

Error: the guy is extreme right wing...

Remeber when the Sun said that the final two candidates, Rijkaard and Mancini will be interviewed on Roman's yacht this week? Well they're wrong, again. I also remember when they said we'd sign Dos Santos.

So basically, just take what they say to be the opposite of the truth. When they say Lamps will leave, he'll stay. So i for one hope i'll be reading that Lamps will sign for Inter on the Sun's website, because i won't know what to do without SuperFrank. Without him as our vice captain, our no. 8, our penalty taker, our fans favourite, how can i ever watch Chelsea again?

HABS

You and I are singing from the same hymnsheet there hunny! x
The thought of losing Didier is bad enough for me but to lose Lampsie?..i'd be absolutely devastated..

@ 30 Habs - Lamps may be our nominated penalty taker but Ballack is by far our best one.

An excellent appointment imho. The indication is clear that a wholesale change of football is required, and that is what Scolari will aim to produce.

If we can replicate the foraging fullbacks of Cafu & R.Carlos, along with a genuine playmaker behind an accomplished striker, we are going to get our moneys worth of entertainment.

Scolaris success hinges not on the players but on the backroom team. Would Zico work as his No 2, is that too ambitious?

Just a moot point about Mourinho, (who walks only with Botham amongst the Gods in my eyes), is that he has never engaged in his career with sexy football, and is unlikely to do so at Inter either. He is clinical, smart & efficent and he used his charisma as the power shield of deflection from his football style. Not a crticism mind, however with Scolari, Roman is taking a chance but if it comes off.....well there won't be too many on here complaining.

Scolari fact file

skysports.com:

1948: Born Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, November 9.


Playing career as a defender with Aymore, Caxias, Novo Hamburgo, Juventude and CSA.

1991: Coached Criciuma to the Brazilian Cup (Copa do Brasil) and to the Santa Catarina state title (Campeonato Catarinense)

1993: Joined newly-promoted Gremio, one of Brazil's most high-profile teams and led them to the Brazilian Cup.

1995: Won Copa Libertadores de America, an annual competition between the top clubs in South America, after defeating Atletico Nacional of Colombia in the final.

Reached the final of the Intercontinental Cup, contested by the European and South American champions but lost to Ajax in a penalty shoot-out.

Runners-up in the Brazilian Cup.

1996: Claimed national championship (Campeonato Brasileiro) defeating Portuguesa in the final.

1997: Joined Palmeiras, one of the top supported clubs in Brazil based in Sao Paolo.

1998: Won the Brazilian Cup. Runner-up in the Mercosur Cup, played between clubs from Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Chile.

1999: Won Copa Libertadores de America beating Deportivo Cali of Colombia. Lost 1-0 to a Roy Keane goal against Manchester United in the Intercontinental Cup final.

2000: Joined Cruzeiro.

2001: June - Invited to become Brazil coach to replace Emerson Leao with the team in danger of missing out on the 2002 World Cup after a poor qualifying tournament. Lost first game 1-0 to Uruguay but secured qualification.

2002: May/June - Withstood public pressure to include 1994 World Cup legend Romario in his squad for the tournament in South Korea and Japan despite being the leading goalscorer in Brazil. Scolari remained unmoved by Romario's tearful appeal on TV and unaffected by criticism of what were seen as defensive tactics.

Ronaldinho's long-distance lob over David Seaman which went into the goal off the underside of the bar before being sent off secured a 2-1 victory over England in the quarter-final.

Won World Cup for the fifth time in Japan and South Korea as two goals by Ronaldo secured a 2-0 win over Germany.

December - Took over as manager of Portugal.

2004: June/July - Led Portugal to another quarter-final win over England in a penalty shoot-out after the teams were level after extra-time.

Became the first foreign coach to lead any team to the finals of the European Championship after beating Holland in the semi-final but lost 1-0 to shock winners Greece.

2006: Emerged as leading contender to succeed Sven Goran Eriksson as England coach.

April 28 - Ruled himself out of England job.

June/July - Led Portugal to the semi-finals of the World Cup in Germany, losing 1-0 to France. Portugal also lost the third-place play-off 3-1 to the hosts.

July 14 - Signed new two-year contract with Portugal.

December - Confirmed his intention to quit Portugal at the end of his contract.

2007: February 6 - Revealed desire to work in England in the future

September 20 - Handed a four-match ban by Uefa following a clash with Ivica Dragutinovic during the Euro 2008 qualifier with Serbia. The ban was later reduced on appeal.

November 21 - Portugal secured place at Euro 2008 with a 0-0 draw against Finland. Scolari stormed out of post-match press conference after the team's performance is criticised.

November 23 - Was again linked with England job after Steve McClaren left the post, but vowed to see out Portugal contract.

2008: April 10 - Revealed he had been approached by Mexico about vacant coaching job.

May 7 - Denied he had been approached by Manchester City.

May 31: Chelsea deny making contact with Scolari.

June: Led Portugal to victory in their first two games at Euro 2008, 2-0 against Turkey and 3-1 against Czech Republic.

June 11: Confirmed as new manager of Chelsea, to take over on July 1.

Main highlights: 2 Copa Libertadoras(South America's Champions League), some domestic trophies and the World Cup. Surely he's CV is better than what some of us expected? Or better than managing Isreal who were 'on the brink' of qualifying for the World Cup. Lets wait and see how everything unfold...

#33

Thats still a big 'if'. How do you guys reckon Scolari and Mourinho would use the 100m warchest? Who would make the better buys and make us play the beautiful game the beautiful way? Perhaps thats what has been going through the mind of our great owner. And he concluded that he should go for the traditionally swash buckling Brazillian. And perhaps, thats his logic for appointing Big Phil?

Interesting take from Phil McNulty from the Beeb - one thing is for sure - he won't be a lackey for Roman.

LINK

Agree that we've got quite a good manager, not a great one though. So 7/10 for you Kenyon.

Next stop for Kenyon has to be bringing in and shipping out players. We need 10/10 for him on player recruitment. No more TBHs, Pizarros, Maloudas, Anelkas... Come on Kenyon, bring in some greats.

Just shoot me...
First, we changed Mourinho for GRant, who was good but not good enough...and of course Abramovich didn't have patience for him.
Now, we got this hot tempered guy, who is 60 years old and I am not sure about his club-football-manangment.
AND I hoped for Didier Deschamps but now my hopes are over...if we win anything more than a FA Cup spit on me...
Ok...I have to calm down...maybe he's going to be good?
Maybe.
LINK

Right!
here is the list of people I want Big Phil to slap. I mean slap really hard so that they bust a ear drum!

1. Nemanja Vidic/ Carlos Tevez (for acting up like sore bastards during the CL final)
2. Wenger (Make sure you slap him twice so hat he sees atleast one of them)
3. Mad Rafa (Actually sock him and repeatedly ask him What? What? )

Wish he does it - get fired or whatever. There is just too much negative vibes that come along with this signing! For fucks sake..whats the idea when he cant speak English!


I'll wait for Zola...whatever long it takes!

I'm not happy at all and i probably won't feel better about the new appointment in the morning.
Sorry JANG but the "CV" doesn't impress me at all. However, as with Avram, i'm willing to sit back and see how things pan out. IF he comes good, i'll say i was wrong to doubt him.
I just have really bad vibes about him though that i wish would go away..

Going to bed..i feel a depression coming on!!

@TONY

I like what i read despite his lacking of speech in English. He's a motivator and school headmaster who takes no nonsesne. We need an ego or personality as big as his to handle the other big egos combined together in the dressing room.

Phil McNulty made me feel a whole lot better. Finally we'll be headline makers for unimportant yet hugely entertaining things like touchline antics, shouting at refs and of course press conferences. He says he can match Jose for press conferences, but hilarious and controversial press conferences in Portugese will be something new. Let's look on the bright side:

For Kaka, the Bridge is awaiting. Maybe now, we'll finally sign some great players who aren't over the hill.

Not overwhelmed, I have to say - a big gamble on most points other than his track record. Could be an interesting season. Think he is a suitably decent enough name to stop any huge player exodus though and could attract some interesting players, but we'll have to see.

And with respect Dissidentex, did Scolari pinch your girlfriend or kill your dog or something? You can't seem to make up your mind whether he's a fascist or a communist and you are doing something of a disservice to his work with your national side; a World Cup semi and a Euro final is hardly a disaster. We're all for a bit of heated debate on here, but do calm down, would you? It sounds like some sort of voodoo doll would be better for you than a blog right now.

14. Habs · 9:47 PM · 11th June
I agree with most of the things you said.

39. ravenous1 · 10:23 PM · 11th June
now I am going to sound disgusting... but...you now...I like Wenger :) .I think he's nice person and a great coach...sorry guys.And he doesn't deserve such a behavior like he got from Ferguson and Mourinho...
But I agree with you...somebody URGENTLY needs to slap Vidic...man ,why didn't Terry allow him to slap Drogba?!
p.s. In my opinion Quaresma is overrated player.

Well...here is my list XD (I am against violence in football , but I need to cheer myself up with something)

1.Sir Alex Ferguson -I have respect for his age and for everything he has done at Manchester United but he is very annoying and never minds his stuff...
2.Cristiano Ronaldo-Unlikely to happen...but...god dammit...please!
3.Nemanja Vidic-Arrogant, prick...

@HABS

Yea, he's quite a good manager but not a great one yet. That is due to his lack of experience at club level for 12 bloody years! But lets hope fortune will favour the brave as i honestly think that Roman took a brave or stupid gamble(however you like to call it LOL) to appoint this hot tempered old geezer. If it works, we will love him to bits like how we dote on our grandparents and reap the benefits such as bragging rights expansive/exciting football. If he doesnt succeed, we will squash him to bits and not roast him like what we did to the toad. At least he still has his body intact... :\

You have to believe that this will persuade Carvalho to stay which is at least a glimmer of good news. And we've desperately been needing a striker and Portugal have tons of them...right? ;)

On the bright side:
Will probably play 4-3-3, a system our players are fairly used to
Could recruit some top players (Robinho, Quaresma)
Is not Roberto Mancini

It's not all bad: we've gone from Grant, an inexperienced, passionless nobody, to Scolari, a World Cup winning Brazilian, in the space of less than a month.

Scolari likes attractive, attacking football and doesn't suffer fools or egos gladly, if you believe what's been written about him.

And at least players are more likely to want to come and play for us now.

While I'm feeling a little underwhelmed at his appointment, there's a spark of excitement in me too. All of a sudden I can't wait for next season to get under way.

Yeah...he is not Roberto Mancini...thats not bad...too bad.
Anyway...If he for example, buys Quaresma and he could buy Ribery or Robinho I will come to Stamford Bridge and repeat that scene with George Clooney from Syriana...to him.
Always look on the brighter side of life...fuck.

Perhaps a few questions to ask aourselves and see if Scolari is tbe right appointment:

1) Is he better than all the candidates involved in this managerial saga?
2) If he is better or worst, where does he stand or fare amongst the candidates for the Chelsea job?
3) Surely he has to do a better job than Average Grunt? At least, he's better than what we have?
4) How many boxes does he ticks?

I asked myself all these things and i concluded that he's not the perfect man for a club like Chelsea, but he's a decent enough one or above average who has a good chance to take us by surprise and pull THE RABBIT OUT OF THE HAT! So lets wait and see...

Guys, Avram Grant is NOT a bad manager.

PEOPLE!!!!
I'm as skeptic as most of you about Big Dr.Phil but, look at the full half, he is:
1-A manager who's respected by his squad
2-(Forget about HorseFace), A manager whose squad is playing very good football at the moment conceding one set-piece goal in two games against good teams.
3-Good tactician, be realistic, two Copa Libertadoras, one world cup and sme little things here and there, is it only luck? then I'm Micky Mouse...
4-Not media-friendly but neither is media-hated, he's well balanced between attacking ALL the other opponents (like TSO) and arselicking (TOAD)
5-Has a name that will surly attract some good names.

I don't know if this would be consulting, but I was watching Switzerland-Turkey match on Al Jazeera Sports and to my big surprise (and disgust) Arsene Wenger was the guest to analyze the game when the news about CFC appointing Phil came and Arsene was NOT happy about the that AT ALL...

Anyway, let's just give him his chance like we did TOADY, still to early to make a judgment...

KTBFFH

Typos, how to get rid of'em? ah, maybe going to sleep (00:50 a.m. here in Syria)

Good night y'all :)

I'm also looking forward to our preseason tour of China and Russia. Now we will be champions of the Railways Cup. We have a passionate and slightly crazy manager who'll create headlines... so yay!

HOWEVER, i just hope he buys a range of players and doesn't go for the simple option of Portugese and Brazilians above all others:

Deco instead of Van der Vaart.
Quaresma instead of Robinho (Well we're bound to get one)
Moutinho instead of Kaka (Again we should get one)
Figo instead of Aguero (Yep it could happen!!!!)
Nuno Gomes instead of Villa (Well he did make him captain and Scolari is crazy)

And in my opinion Ricky is still gonna wear the black and blue stripes of Inter. He has already said that Scolari will not change his opinion over his future so expect him to sign for Inter as soon as Portugal are knocked out. Hopefully they'll be knocked out in the quarters so that he can start planning for preseason with new staff, new coaching methods, new scout reports and most importantly new players.

Hopefully he'll need some English speaking staff... Clarkey, Brendan Rodgers, Zola?

We don't need midfielders except wings. We have too many of them...too many really good of them, so this year Essien had to play as right back, because of Ballack!
We need a wing,a striker,a second choice goalkeaper.
I would do anything for Villa to come...and thats a possibility.

I think we'll find that the English press will be after Big Phil soon enough. Yes he maybe 'the best Brazilian coach' (someone here in the office in Brazil), but he is also someone who when he was at Palmeiras instructed the ball-boys not to give balls back quickly to the opposition when Palmeiras were leading and was tape-recorded through an open dressing room window telling his team to kick the opposition among other things. I believe he has a long charge sheet of similar offences. We may be in for a bumpy ride again.

Scolari was managing at club level up until about 7 years ago when he took the Brazil job.

I suspect this was a done deal a while ago, hence Grant's swift removal and the "extremely happy" statements re the search for a manager that have come from the club since then.

The timing of the announcement is interesting - he may have wanted it kept quiet until Portugal had negotiated the group stages, but it might be that we're talking to players and it became necessary to reveal the appointment. Think the club deserve a little bit of credit for their handling of things in this instance.

Question marks hung over all the candidates suggested - was never completely convinced by Rijkaard or Mancini, so let's see how 'Big Phil' does.

"Chelsea have just appointed Jose Mourinho in Gene Hackman's body." - Henry Winter in tomorrow's Daily Telegraph.

Well...at least. This is not the worst choice (I mean, its not Mancini or Rijkaard).

Well Popeye Doyle is on board. I think Roman is a big fan of the French Connection

Age - the fact that he is 59 and still going means he is either looking for one big pay day or its in his blood. Like Robson, Ferguson, Wenger, Trappatoni, Lippi he may be one of those who just wont give it up. So his age and experience should be viewed positively until proved otherwise.

Is he the first Brazilian to manage in England?

And in common with some other bloggers let me finish by waxing lyrical:

Jose won't be BACK,
Avram's had the SACK
Let Big Phil have a CRACK

Its OK, I didn't bring coat....

''Big Phil versus Sir Alex sounds almost like a prize-fight and the technical areas for Chelsea-United fixtures will be fascinating''
This part of the text I like the most.

Well it’s difficult to make some future telling about how Scolari will be in Chelsea. He has a very strong personality not to say a very stubborn one. If think after the honey moon period is gone, his relationship with Roman may be even more chaotic than with was under Mourinho's period. Regarding results, it’s difficult to say. He has achieved good results in his career so far. He will continue to have good players at Chelsea, the big question is how he will fit to the English football (its some thing like 180° different from what he his used to so far), and how he will deal with the press. I guess in Chelsea he will achieve also good results, even the CL, but some how I think it will not be an easier relationship...with the owner and the English football in general.

I have objected appointment of Avram Grant from the first day. I have not changed my opinion to the last day, to the final of the CL and after it. Why do I say it, just because I want to tell you that you have to be responsible for what you are saying. Today I want to say that, to my opinion, we have found may be not the best, MAY BE, but definitely THE RIGHT and the most appropriate man to stabilize our squad, work out our style and calm media anxiety around us. I believe this is the right appointment.
Come on Chels!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

62. MikeL · 11:17 PM · 11th June
Maybe you are right.
Maybe...
But I don't believe he will calm media anxiety.He once punched a journalist during his career.

He once punched a journalist during his career.

There's a few he could add to that list over here and make a lot of people very happy!

Im absolutley shocked, Scolari failed to beat Finland, Serbia and Poland in Qualifying so how is he going to win the CL? :((((((

On the bright side his appointment will surely convince Riccy to stay and players from the Portuguese National Team might come and maybe Robinho

Is he known as big Phil because he's the longest in the shower?

I'm not overjoyed, but more because of the missed opportunity to start something fresh than because of any deep suspicion of Big Phil.

As people are saying, at least he's a more than competent manager who can build a team and has the presence that may keep some of our more important players at the club.

He won't get much slack if things don't go perfectly, though, and I wonder how much of a bond there'll be with the fans.

Incidentally, I'm with JD on the way the club has done this. I wish they'd made a bolder appointment, but if Scolari was always their no. 1 target -- and there's now no reason to think otherwise -- then one has to confess it's been fairly smoothly done.

What doesn't make any sense to me is why they've gone for a Portuguese-speaking coach with a very strong personality, a total commitment to winning by any means, and who'll refuse to toady to the owner. Or rather, why they didn't stick with the one they already had. God knows Scolari doesn't give a monkey's about shexhy football -- if he'd coached Sweden and Scotland instead of Brazil and Portugal, he'd have been a Route 1 merchant.

Driving José out looks like an ever stupider move than it did in September -- quite hard to manage that, really.

Im still excited to see what happens in the summer, What players we bring in? Who will be his assistant? (Hopefully Clarky). Just think about 4 months ago we all thought that AG was going to stay, At least we have a top manager who can get the best out of players and demand respect

Guys ! Guys ! Guys !
40 years a blue "Osgood is good" etc we have had a rollercoaster season Grant did ok "not so sure if he knew what he was doing all the time" but he cracked on from Jose! This is 21st century football! managers come and go players follow the € $ £ and Lamps,Essian, Ricky and even JT should be allowed to move on if the right offer comes along they owe us nothing all played for the jersey! Remember the Tinkerman came 2nd in the Premiership and the Semi's in Champions League, Jose won two Titles and semi final Champions league, Grant got to the final and lost the plot in the league (so close) "prediction" Big Phil 3rd in the League and win the Champions League who knows just fasten your seat belt and enjoy the ride! PS: Still cant talk about the event in Russia 50 years of age and still cant accept defeat (to the scum) graciously!!!

interview with Scolari for BBC in english.

LINK

JONATHAN DYER: (43)

The guy his extreme right wing politically. One of the first things that he tell in portugal when he arrived was that he thought that Pinochet was an outstanding leader...( i made an error in my second comment and swap the words left for right...)

In football terms i dislike him intensely for a vast number of reasons.

When he took charge of Portugal in 2002, the idea was to prepare the team for the euro 2004. The guy had the team of Porto of Mourinho( don´t know if you know that one...)who had recently conquered Uefa cupa and the champions league.

Scolari just to make a point( a stupid point) ignored the team that Mourinho had assmbled and spent 2 years of prepatation games for 2004 placing and chosing players wrong.Not selecting the midfield of Porto...

Then came Greece and Portugal lost the opening game, and the idiot change the time pressured by the results, and portugal went all the way to the final, which he lose ALSO because the man did a poor work in studying the rivals.

He worked as a motivator and a creator of emotions here in Portugal to assemble an atmosfere os support to the national team, but in terms of football , of tactics,of a concept of the game, a game model, the man is crap.
(In 6 years with Portugal, he never tested anything but the 4.3.3 system even against minions...)

It´s a slightly enhanced version of S. Mclaren. Mourinho dislike him intensely when he was coaching Porto, and people near Porto as a club stated in rádio shows after 2004 that no top club in Europe would take Scolari as a coach.(At the time Everton made some questions about it and that´s it)


He pre formats (at least that´s what he did here) the team to achieve a certain point, people like that a lot and forget to "demand" more than that.

That´s why the portuguese team will not be the winner of 2008.
Also he is extremely conservative chosing players.
One player could be begging to go to the bench some months ago and we will not put him on the bench.Just to make a point.
First the player needs to play extremely bad lot´s of time and games.

Then the "agent" a person named "ACAZ" is floating around... and some players are chosen exactly for that...

Then there is the concept of "family" that he likes to introduce in a footbal team, being Scolari the father and the players the chidlren that he educates...

If it is obvious that a player should be playing and that same player says that loud in public, Scolari doesn´t pick him, precisely because the player said that.(That´s why Maniche and Marco Caneira of Valencia weren´t selected for the euro 2008 and Paulo Ferreita is playing left back...)

This passes as being discipline, but it is not.(This is what he has done with the portuguese team).

I understand that you there in England are "impressed" By the fact that Portugal beat Engand twice, but here, the idea(among coaches specially) was that he almost cost us the victory against England.

This is not a provocation, but the individual quality of the english players in technical aspects is very low, and football is not just "big heart" when playing..

I´m very pleased that he leaves, concerned about Chelsea, and concerned about the next qualyfing round for world cup 2010, because the new portuguese coach will have to clean the mess that Scolari leaves behind.

I don't understand why everyone is so dour. I took a look at Scolari and his tactics in the Turkey game, and wrote about it (link in name).

I think that he will fit in well tactically with the players we have, and will bring good ones. He has the SGE advantage of scouting all of the national teams in Europe for talent. I'd love to have Villa, but I'd also take an unheralded striker the way SGE snapped up Elano. He took a feuding Brazil and turned them into winners.

If you don't think winning the WC with Brazil is a serious achievement, then why don't they win it every time? Why don't we and Real Madrid win the CL every year? The guy wins at every level. I think that is the most important criteria in a manager...

I'm not predicting a treble, but I believe Big Phil will do well. Count me as one of the few optimists on here.

With players we don't need many: 1 Centre back, 1 midfielder, 1 winger, 2 world class strikers, 1 young striker

Centre back should be Mancienne, midfielder should be Van der Vaart, Winger should be Robinho and as for strikers, well if the blank cheque rumours are true pick two from: Kaka, Aguero, Villa, Eto'o, Benzema, Huntelaar and then Di Santo will be brought in to learn his trade.

I hope Clarkey will stay, Brendan Rodgers will be promoted and Zola may even come in as another english speaker.

Dissidentex - I think we get the message; you aren't keen on Scolari - now move on, would you?

Dissidentex does seem obsessed with Scolari. I see his perceived negatives: controversial, crazy, angry, confrontational as positives for a club who are run in a crazy way and for a club who always loves the headlines.

SO bring on BIG PHIL and some BIG PLAYERS.

KTBFFH: Keep the Brazilian Flag Flying High

Thank you Roman for not choosing Frank Rijkaard, I hate that man and would never accept him as Chelsea manager!

Roman is such an adventurous businessman; he has had Portuguese and Israeli managers, now he wants to try a Brazilian one! I quite like Scolaris' track record, and I certainly don't judge him by personal prejudice and some silly gossips. I just hope Steve Clarke would stay and help him to adapt English football. It must be the first time Chelsea are managed by a South American, so I hope he would also make history in term of trophies!

I welcome the new manager to this wonderful Chelsea family! Please Scolaris don't wear a black shirt! :-)

Well, I can't say I am surprised that RA went for a big name and they don't come any bigger than 'Big Phil' and his appointment has certainly generated some interesting comments !

I actually don't yet have any opinion on how Scolari will go managing club after years managing international teams. Only time will tell but it will be a big shift for a man in his 60s. One thing is for sure it will generate some interesting press conferences during next season and it will be interesting to see how he shapes up to PurpleNose and Whinger.

Whats of more importance now is what happens on the player front. We won't know now until 1 July earliest when all the players have finished their 'summer break' in Switzerland/Austria. Who will see playing for Big Phil is an interesting prospect and will decide who comes and who goes. Hopefully Frankie and Riccie stay..

The appointment of Scolari may well scupper any possibility of Zola joining or Clarkie staying which is a real shame. I could be proved wrong of course.

Personally I cant wait until the Euros are over and the business of planning for next season starts for real.

KTBFFH

'The appointment of Scolari may well scupper any possibility of Zola joining or Clarkie staying which is a real shame. I could be proved wrong of course.'

I tend to agree, as Phil will obviously bring his own entourage with him. However, an English speaker in Clarkey may still be required and he may be impressed enough that he wants to stay on.

I was against his appointment yesterday, however having read a bit more about him in the press today, he seems to have a bit of charisma to him, and that is something we have been severely lacking of late.

I think he must have been given some assurances about being in full control, because he seems to be a big enough personality to not put up with interference.

And you have to love his work, in tapping up Ronaldo to sod off to Madrid, even before he has started in the job! Now that really is marvellous!

Watch out for this!
"Please don't call me arrogant, but I'm World champion and I cinq I'm Big one"

@ Greenlight

Lets hope he can also convince Deco to join us and Riccy to stay. From what I hear Deco is playing really well in the Euros and maybe finding his old self again. Of course TSO will probably be chasing Deco as well.

BTW, popped into the Charles Dickens Pub on Sunday night for a quick pint, seemed to be a small boisterous crowd vaguely watching the euro action. Didn't stay long as we were on the way to somewhere else.

I have to admit that some part of me is hoping that portugal win euro 2008 just to spite Dissidentex.

That would be lovely.

Unless I am mistaken with the way the draw works, then a Portugal V Spain final in the Euros seems a possibility. Of course Germany and the Netherlands will have something to say and there is always the possibility of an outsider like Greece did in 2004 coming in to spoil the party.

So there is the possibility our new manager could be a Euro winner as well as a workd cup winner. Sounds good but can he manage a club in one of the toughest leagues in the world and do this week in week out...?

Feeling a bit more optimistic this morning, though i still don't think he's the best Manager we could of had. I'm not as unhappy as DISSSIDENTEX though i'm pleasesd to say!!!
At least we've got a Manager that we've all heard of, so that's a good thing i suppose!! I'm not knocking AG there, at least we were a very close second in the Prem and CL under him..will Phil go one better and WIN us the CL? It'll be interesting to see.

Pleased to see SSN are already pointing out the -ives. They say;
He's NEVER coached in Europe..
Majority of his coaching has been done in Brazil..
He turns 60 in December..
He'll be Chelsea's 11th Manager in McFergie's reign at Man Ure..
Odds are 8/1 on him LOSING his job by the end of the season..

positives, however are;
He's been given a blank cheque by Roman to spend, spend, spend..
He loves a good scrap!..watch out McFergie!..
Oh..and he's the Prem's first World Cup winner..

Good luck Uncle Phil, welcome aboard.
Just don't sell any more of our best players..but please take note of HAB's list (comment no.4)at the top of this link if you wanna know who we need to get shot of!

Up the Chels xxx

Avram never got a song but presumably if Big Phil can overcome the initial wave of negativity this must be a good candidate LINK (chorus only, obviously)

PEOPLE !!!!

Chill.... I think its too early to say all that about Scolari... After Grant all we needed is a good manager.... I agree he is not the best... but we are BLUE.... we all together are THE BEST.... we are not the best individual.... so lets cheers for our new manager.... we will definitely win everything this year together.....

cheers to Chelsea!!!!

count me in the minority on this blog as i think that after Guus (who made it clear he was staying with the ruskies) this is the best appointment we could make. has anyone thought that maybe just maybe after winning most of what there is to win in SA and the WC and getting to a euro final and perhaps going far again this time, big phil may be highly motivated to add the only gaps to his marvellous CV ie the ECL and winning a domestic championship in one of the big euro leagues. you don't achieve what he has by luck but you do if you are a highly motivated and skilled manager! i am confident he has the skill and desire that we have been sorely lacking since TSO.

Dissidentex you all too easily forget the shambles that Brazil were in in 2001 very nearly failing to qualify for the WC for what would have been the first ever time I believe. Then big phil comes turns them into a team with passion and desire and they win WC in some style. You also ignore the clear passion the present portugal players have, their teamwork and desire to play for their manager never mind their colours.

well done kenyon and avram for getting big phil and for doing so quickly so we can ensure we now don't lose other prized players to inter who no doubt have been approached by TSO since his appointment and we are now once again able to attract the best players to join the blue revolution!

viva la Chelsea!!!

Cast your minds back. Back to a time when it was sunny until past 9 p.m. A time when you could sit outside your favourite boozer enjoying a lager / cider / wine / babycham. A time where you could kick back and let to woes of another day in the office flow away as you check out the talent walking by. Back to a time where Switzerland and Turkey had just kicked off the second half.

That's right, about 21.10 hours last night. Now if you heard a blood-curdling, high-pitched wailing 'NNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO' then it was me and my reaction to Motty telling me that Scolari has been appointed Chelsea manager.

'Shut up Motty' I thought. You old git, you've got it wrong. The game you're commentating on is so boring you must be surfing the t'tinterweb at the same time and happened upon www.whataloadofmadeupfootballnonsense.com.

I paused. What do I do ?? Then it hit me like a yellow breaking news ticker. '405' is the call. Mrs Fifty duly obliges with the remote (I'm still not trusted with it). I tap the keys qucker than ever before. Mr Murdoch's Sports News channel flickers into view. There it is, running across the bottom of the screen.

'NNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO' again.

I feel underwhelmed. I dont know the guy but I dont like him. Is it my patriotism ? He seems to ruin national football tournaments for English fans by, well, having a better team. Is it the Ronaldo factor ?? Everyone hates him.

After a night of patchy sleep (not because of him, Fifty Jnr was up a bit and it's raining like buggery my way) I was hoping I'd have grounded myself a bit and my negative reaction would have changed. But it hasn't.

The only positive I can take from it is he wont be bending over and taking it from Roman. He will be his own man and do what he wants and buy who he wants. Unfortunately it seems it'll begin with Deco who's going to be 31 in August. Let's offer him a nice 5 year deal shall we ?? I watched Portugal last night. They were impressive, although the Czechs were poor.

- Deco was class but he has 2 seasons tops in him. Van Der Vaart has about 7.
- Bosingwa is like a younger Belletti but with less defending ability.
- Ronaldo falls over a lot. No, really, he does.
- Petr Cech almost, almost, pulled of the best triple save ever where he denied Ronaldo, then Deco once only for the defender to open his legs wider than the Grand Canyon for Deco to score.

I fear, like Tony mentioned last night, for the English core of the side. Joe Cole is probably o.k, as Scolari likes a flair player. Ashley and Bridgey must be worried as Paulo isn't good enough for our bench, but can play left back for his country. JT will stay, although I'm sure any unrest would see Jose in for him like a shot, albeit for an astronomical fee.

We've got a great squad, all it needs is a bit of pruning here and there. A massive over-haul isn't necessairly the way forward. Sign the 4 or 5 players were linked with EVERY DAY and things will be o.k, lets just hope he doesnt want to sign half the Portugese squad.

I cant go as far as saying I'm excited about him. I'm optimistic that having a few months between starting the job and starting the season we'll see new faces. If they are the 'right' ones who knows.

Still, no need to panic about the new manager now is there ??? We can just get carried away by which players we wont sign for the next fortnight.

I dont think it is that bad. He has won the world cup with a team that was exciting. He also knocked out england...twice!!

I think he will be good - his teams play with flair and he trusts those with skill to do a job unlike TSO who wanted robots. I cant see frank, JT, riccy leaving and i can see deco coming which isnt a bad thing provided we curb his party boy reputation.

Plus on the up side if Ronaldo asks him for advice, which he porbably will, as the chelsea manager is he going to say stay or go!! Yup thats right see ya ronaldo.

Lets see who he buys, only then will we be able to know if its all doom and gloom. One thing is for sure he can manage ego's so if eto'o comes he will get the best from him!

I have a very,very bad feeling about this. He has never managed a european club. We should have gone for Rijkaard. Does Scolari even speak english????

David Villa is the most wanted striker in Europe with Scolari favourite to land the £25m Spaniard.

Scolari will be handed a blank cheque to bring in new players and will spend up to £50m on Brazillian star Kaka.

The appointment of the Brazilian at Stamford Bridge could see the arrival of Barcelona midfielder Deco. Scolari could also convince Ricardo Carvalho to stay at the club.

England manager Fabio Capello told owner Roman Abramovich to make Scolari the new boss at Chelsea.

but more importantly :

Italy coach Roberto Donadoni faces the sack following a dressing room mutiny after his side lost 3-0 to Holland on Tuesday.

Get him out - he is only there because of the scandals - get lippi back in or mancini.

from the bbc.co.uk - a bit more positive - at least it should be amusing!:

Chelsea wanted a man of footballing stature - and perhaps even more a man of massive personality - when Avram Grant's low-key era was ended after the defeat in the Champions League final at the hands of Manchester United.

And there is no doubt the Blues have got one in the newly-appointed Luiz Felipe Scolari.

news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foo...

'Big Phil', who is actually not all that big in the flesh, was a World Cup winner with his native Brazil in 2002, took Portugal to the final of Euro 2004 and the semi-final of the 2006 World Cup.

And he is currently in charge of a hugely talented Portugal side that shows signs of being serious contenders to win Euro 2008.

Scolari made a habit of out-flanking England - and now he comes among us to spread his own unique brand of showmanship and expertise.

And yet, there is a lingering feeling that Chelsea have taken a big gamble in going for a man who has, on occasions, made Jose Mourinho appear a model of diplomatic restraint.

One thing is certain - those who complained that Grant was just a little under-stated for their liking will love Scolari.

I observed the Brazilian at close quarters in three major tournaments and dull he isn't.

Scolari's touchline antics were dramas on their own but his media conferences were something else.

These confrontations were a heady cocktail of flamboyant gestures, fury, comedy, reconciliation, gurning and love - often all in a matter of moments.

He reacted to one vital win by telling the world's media that he was off to give his wife a hug - and perhaps a little more besides if the mood took them.

It was the sort of glorious, grandstanding stuff that might actually make those of us who still mourn Jose Mourinho's exit from Stamford Bridge forget about 'The Special One', at least for a little while.

Chelsea cannot be accused of appointing a pet for owner Roman Abramovich. Scolari is volatile and opinionated. If he has something to say he will say it.

And they have certainly made a statement of intent by appointing one of the biggest names in world football. If Chelsea crave profile and success, they have landed a man who has form for both.

He will be a welcome addition to the Premier League mix of top-class managers such as Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger.

But is he a comfortable fit for Chelsea? No-one can doubt this man's pedigree but there have to be question marks.

He has never managed at club level in Europe and all his recent experiences have been confined to the international stage, albeit successful ones.

Scolari's English, to the best of our knowledge, is almost non-existent, so that will be a hurdle to clear early on.

He also rejected an approach from England to succeed Sven-Goran Eriksson because he was unhappy about possible media intrusion, something he will have to confront at a club as newsworthy as Chelsea.

So yes, Chelsea are taking a gamble but there are huge pluses as the Premier League now plays host to another of the game's most charismatic figures.

Scolari is an advocate of attractive football and he is still hungry to make an impact at 59.

He has huge personality and presence and appears to carry his players with him in a manner similar to Mourinho.

Chelsea's star system will be dismantled. He does not play favourites - remember how he removed Portugal's iconic Luis Figo when they were behind to England in the quarter-final of Euro 2004?

Figo stormed to the dressing room but Scolari's change worked as Portugal won. The nation backed its inspirational coach ahead of its favourite son.

This is Scolari. Brave, a gambler and not a man to be messed with - whether this will work for Chelsea will become clear in time.

It is an appointment laced with risk but let's not carp - let's sit back and relish what will be a hugely enjoyable, if occasionally bumpy, ride.

88 Bluemunkeyfeet

I actually think that Scolari's arrival will mean goodbye to Frank, to make way for Deco...... Hope it doesn't happen, but we have enough central midfielders for Frank not to stick around if Deco arrives.

I don't feel so bad about his appointment having read the press. I read somewhere that the fixtures come out on Monday for next year, and I am quite looking forward to it now.

well peeps at least the transition from a Baron Greenback lookalike to a Gene Hackman one is not that bad.
To my best knowledge Greenback has never won an Oscar. Nor Grant a World Cup.
-
-
-
and
91. Greenlight · 9:04 AM · 12th June

"I actually think that Scolari’s arrival will mean goodbye to Frank, to make way for Deco"


i'm not worrying for that. "shitting myself" describes it better.

I dont care anymore who the manager is. All I care about is that the process which Roman along with Mourinho started continues with whoever is in charge. That is, to stop man-U dominating English football again for the next ten years. Wenger can't be bothered and I believe he will leave next year, Rafa does'nt really give a hoot about the Prem. We need to stop United ruling football again in this country otherwise I and millions of others will make sure football in England will suffer by the turn-off from the boredom of it all. In fact it is already happening along with the Media's collusion it seems. After all, hands up who heard shouting from the rooftops about how we should stop Man-U dominating the Prem as all the media did with Chelsea after just two titles in 50 years! That one little act shows the Pro United bias in this country and against any team who dares challenge that. It comes from the same idealogical comments that "it was written in the stars that they win the Champions league" Do you all remember that a couple of weeks ago in the press"? This is why I loved Jose for what he wanted to do in English football. Keegan in reality is also of the same mould when he had his rant about how he would love to beat United. There are people in this game who realise the negatives about United being allowed to dominate or any club including Chelsea if I/we are honest. After all, if I knew we would win 9 out of 10 prems would it be that exciting? really? So you can imagine how other fans feel. So Roman has chosen Phil (Whom incidentally, I was asking for as a manager mainly to stick it up to the FA and the Man-u obsessed media). I don't know in reality if he will be any good or not. The only thing for me is that he does not have blood on his hands as Grant did which ultimatley unlike how the the deluded one would like us believe, cost us every cup there was..fact. A clever manager would have realised that to have beaten Wigan would have put us 2 points ahead of Man-U before the game at the Bridge. But Grant believed his own hype and thought beating United was the be and end all and would endear him to Roman and the fans etc when in reality that game was the lesser game. The overall strategy to win the prem was discarded in looking for flashy circus events like beating Man-U at the bridge when if Wigan had been beaten we would only have needed a draw at most.
So, is Scholari's appointment about overall strategy to win the prem or just Grant in disguise with a flashier louder circus exterior with no real tactical, strategic game plan to make sure we win the league not just have a few great swachbuckling battles for the cameras.? ....time will tell.

"Scolari promises real entertainment"


a whole season of 4-4 draws? i can't wait

Jonathan Dyer (75).

British hospitality in blogs is really different.

Comment 73 addresses Scolari's supposed problem with English for me. Despite his lack of complete fluency, he did express an understanding for the importance of accurate communication with the players.

My gut instinct is that we've really found the best candidate for the job, and I can't wait for August to come around. As a matter of fact, I think today I'll renew my membership. :)

@85 - I'm willing to sing that! 'Scolari, oh oh... Scolari, oh oh oh oh...'

P.S. If Jose was The Special One, does that mean Phil is The Big One?

OMG, the new manager has not arrived yet but all the doom merchants are already out in force!

Relax!

I've slept on it and read most of the reports this morning. One thing is definite, Chelsea provide the real entertainment in the Premier League off the pitch. Now we hope we can also provide it on the pitch - though Big Phil is obviously pragmatic and tends to work with the quality of the players he has. So his shopping list will make interesting reading as it points towards changes in our style of play.

Scolari will win us over with his passion for winning. He will win the players with his personality, tactical nous and preparation. I have no doubt about that. The Press? Fuck them. The other fans? Fuck them too - jealously motivates just about every critique of Chelsea they can come up with. The public? I think they'll actually go for him like they did Jose. Warming to a new personality in our midst, making the day brighter, adding to our general sense of fun. So I'm up for it now. Big time. And it makes the aberration that was Avram Grant's reign seem utterly surreal. Ain't it always the way at our club? A further reward is that it is already winding the Mancs up - big time.

Big Phil is advising Ronnie to go to Madrid. Pricceless! Utterly priceless! There will be all manner of accusations to which we can smile back knowlingly and shrug our shoulders. So you thought you controlled football in this country did you? Well, you don't control it in Europe. Fergie's extended network of friendly managers and directors does not extend beyond the UK. No one will do you any favours in this increasingly international world of football.

Blimey, it has also given me an added interest in the Euros. I had been supporting the Germans up till now. Partly to purge the ancient national animus from my system, partly because Michael Ballack is the leader and is one of ours...and I want him to win something big for once. But now I have Portugal as well to cheer. Three of our players and now the coach. It's almost like watching Chelsea.

'British' hospitality on blogs is just fine, Dissidentex - it's just monotonous, crazed one-subject bores that we object to.

@98:

I agree entirely. Yesterday, I wanted the Czechs to draw with the Portuguese just to make things interesting. Now I think I want the Portuguese to win, although in all honesty I'd be happy if the Netherlands got it as well after what they did to Italy. It'll be difficult supporting a team with Ronaldo in it, but it doesn't matter because hopefully he's heading to Madrid anyway. :)

We were all never going to agree on any individual as being the 'best' manager for the club...

Scolari should do well with the team...he's getting a solid bunch of players to work with, except for some positions with small question marks...

Right winger to keep JC mentally alert and sharp!
Striker(s)
Creative midfielder...if his preference is for deco or a yet to be mentioned 'other', then either frank or ballack must give way...from the look of things, Lamps is the one that has a ready market presently...considering all the talk about Inter and JM, he can go if he still wants to...

One thing is clear though...there should be more players leaving than coming in

Just have a funny feeling that unlike JM, his shortcoming in the english language may be a blessing in disguise cos he can occassionaly take jibes at the journos / bare his mind freely in portuguese or pidgin english and say he was misquoted by the media...just blame it on the translator/interpreter or any other person, or claim that it was a figure of speech!

One thing is sure though...we'v got an interesting season ahead of us...

The euros seems to be dragging...cant it be fast-tracked? Its holding a lot of things back!

Van Der Vaart, Villa and Robinho. We'll storm the place with them!

Danny - i am with you on that. I dont see it as doom and gloom. Its time for Chels to ruffle feathers again. :)

Although Deco is linked i cant see him being what we want. If you had £100,000,000 and if you needed to spend more you could would you buy him? Or would you try to test Reals resolve with Sneider, even offering DD in return? There are many other younger profiles that would work well and as such wouldnt mind a bit part role.

Villa and Robinho would be great Chris but i am still not sold on Van der Vaart. Anyone seen enough of him to change my mind?

BMF,

Saw enough of him against Italy to realise he's got to be worth a punt. Great vision. Not lightning pace, but full of running and good delivery.

Unlike Lamps and Ballack who we have, and Deco who we're (increasingly) likely to get, he's got age on his side. I'd rather test the resolve of Hamburg who, lets face it, aren't going to be able to keep him if he continues his current form. He's reportedly said he'd like to come to Chelsea and I'd prefer him to Deco every time.

As every man, woman, child and household pet who reads this blog knows, I have an unhealthy infatuation with David Villa, but I'm surprised at the clamour for us to sign Robinho.

All the Spanish games I watched last year, he seemed to drift in and out of them far too much, and is full of tricks. When there are no defenders near him. Nowhere near as consistent as I assumed he would be.

LINK

gazzetta dello sport reports Adebayor wants AC Milan. Badly.
wonder where does this put DD

105. Fifty · 11:22 AM · 12th June
"Saw enough of him against Italy"


against NL italy got just one thing right: put the right shirt on. so not sure its the right game to go by. still he got rave reviews from the italian press

Bluetone - I think DD will play for barca next year. How embarrassing was the game. For me it was a conspiracy - i havent let any of my colleagues tell me otherwise! :)

Fifty - cheers - i agree we need to go for the younger profile, we have enough oldies! in the side.

Robinho is also quite light - will he manage to play in the prem or will he just get knocked off the ball? Also is he that different to kalou - kalou drifts in and out and also has a poor end product.

Aguero would be a good shout. I just hope Kaka, Messi and Villa rock up - add J Cole to that and anelka/shev and we have a great offensive line.

LINK

Having reflected, I'm moderately satisfied. He's clearly a very good coach, despite what some argue and seems pleasingly barking.

This is surely confirmation that we're taking the European route, with Arnesen selecting the players, Kenyon paying for them and Scolari coaching. Time for Arnesen to start earning his money then.

What the blazes is the panic with "Big Phil"? Portugal look like they are going to win Euro 2008, for god's sake. He's a proven winner with tactical nous, can handle big egos, and he's entertaining. I for one am absolutely bloody thrilled. He will win the League and the Champions League for us, within 2 years. Ferguson and Wenger haven't won the world cup - let's have a terrace song about that!

Go Arnie!

LINK

Can't say I'm pleased, but let's just see how he does. I can't see how the 'attacking football' reason given by Roman has any meaning now that we've appointed someone who's Portugal side have hardly been playing with any more creativity and flair than Chelsea under JM.

I think we can reasonably assume the following now:
Lampard out, Deco in.

And if he was keen on Quaresma, he would have left the overrated shite Simao on the bench for their first two matches.

Jeez we're never pleased on here are we - we spend months moaning Avram Must Go and we want a real manager, then weeks complaining how long the club are taking to announce a replacement and how many targets we might be missing out on - and now the club make an appointment with megabucks to spend apparently and all we can [mostly] do is carry on whinging he's not the right man.

OK I admit I've expressed real doubts about Big Phil on here several times too - but the deed is done and as Portugal have cancelled today's planned press conference hopefully he'll avoid the Brit Press Pack harrassing him into changing his mind before he even arrives.

At least we've got a manager with a status which isn't a joke in top class football again - and that audio link above [@71] suggests his English is already at least on a par with Ranieri's when he finally started taking press conferences himself - and he's just been shrewd enough to body swerve questions by feigning ignorance recently.

Older readers might compare it to 1996 when we got The Wild and Crazy Guy [Gullitt] who took us on an unpredictable rollercoaster ride rather than the Ancelotti-like dullard [George Graham]touted first.

The Gene Hackman look-a-like trait has sent me on an imdb inspired stream-of-consciousness:

The Replacement [2000] may have been appointed on a Split Decision [1988] but he’s clearly a Prime Cut [1972] and a bit of a Loose Cannon [1990] who’s used to being Under Fire [1973]. He may take Extreme Measures [1996] and demand Absolute Power [1997] to turn back the Crimson Tide [1995] and defeat the Reds [1981].

He may Get Shorty [1995] in to help produce a Class Action [1991] team with lots of good Night Moves [1975]. Let’s wait till Superman [1978] and his Heartbreakers [2001] provide that EPL/CL double Eureka [1984] moment if only by a Narrow Margin [1990] – and then go on to do it Twice in a Lifetime [1985].

Getting coat from peg now...

Also according to Skysports which i nipped home to watch at lunch there is a certain ex world player of the year who has seen a dip in his performances who happens to come from the same town as him in Brazil. Ronnie they speculate will follow shortly after deco!

It was big phil who was credited with turning the brazil team around (they nearly didnt qualify for the World cup in 02) and that was down to the big man getting the best from him!! At 28 - he still has so much to give and if we have villa and eto'o up top - my word!!

Loving it!

@BBD #115

I raise my hat (Pork-Pie of course) in admiration

OUT OF ALL THE PRETENDERS, BIG PHIL STANDS OUT.
HOWEVER, WITH A HISTORY OF THE MANS TEMPERAMENT I HOPE THE BOARD GIVE HIM ENOUGH SPACE, OTHERWISE SOMEONE WILL GET HURT.
BIG PHIL IS IN THE HOUSE.
Hey Phil no DECO, i will never forgive that guy for some spiteful stuff he said about us while in Barca, there is a younger DECO called van dar vaart.
OH didier you can stay, the manager thing is sorted out now. i know u love the strong men, if you were a chick u probably marry a woman beater.

@BBD #115

Seconded - a Hackman related masterwork!

A pretty good appointment all in all, especially if, as it seemed, there was a limited choice of real candidates.

I'm looking forward to some passion in the dug-out and a clear strategy for the players to adhere to. For a while there last year they seemed to be managed by committee.

We have all that pain and hunger from last season to motivate us, so let's get behind the team and the new manager.

Very good decision - at last some positive news from chelsea after the rumours of riikiard and ancelotti coming at the bridge! hopefully riccy and most of the lads will stay and we can get kaka and/or deco as well. big phil is the best manager in the world along with jose & capello. world cup winners with brazil, finalist at euro and semi finalist at wc with portugal and might well win the euros this year.he's a strong disciplanarian and that is what is needed.

lookin forward to seeing him at the bridge...

people...
it doesn't matter if he is right or left wing...
its totally irrelevant.

everyone on this blog is hoping for a villa or aguero....i also want this its not realistic.100million is not that much.buying robinho for cash gonna be at least 40mill. villa with his performances gonna be at least 30-40 mill. class wingers queresma and joaquin could will be little cheaper expect to pay 20 mil or less. Losing lampard because he wants a contract that does not qualify his quality....i know it hard to hear but anyone with contract of 150 000 per week should be in top 3 in world .....eg messi ,ronaldo , kaka.unbelievable that he is being so greedy.....would hate to see him go but it wont be train smash.

the summer gonna be great if idiots upstairs can get it right.

On the subject of Villa, I thought he had a relatively quiet campaign last season, yet the figures speak for themselves :

He has scored 141 goals in 280 league appearances and 17 goals in 32 international matches.

Not to be sniffed at. But then, neither were Sheva's before he signed......

Mark,
Sounds very nice and now everybody on tune of Volare chorus

LINK

Big Phill Oooooo,
Big Phill Ooooooooo
With Chelsea and Chelsea with you
We are winning and we love you!!!

But first he has to show us that he deserves it.

Hmm -- has anyone properly investigated his links with Mormon construction firms??

LINK

I sense a tabloid feeding frenzy when this gets out.

Germany and Ballack are going down at the moment.

But i know i said that ITV commentators are shit yesterday and they are continuing today. Who is Yogi Low? Does he think that Joachim Loew has suddenly changed him name to Yogi bear or is it just an ITV policy to pronounce every foreigner's name incorrectly?

Looks like Ballack is going to be dissappointed again.

I can't bring myself to support the Germans, no matter how much I like Ballack. But at least Podolski scored for JD. I had a little wager on Croatia to win the tournament, so I'm feeling better than I did on Sunday. They should avoid the Portuguese now.

Walter/achmed the dead terrorist (Jeff Dunham) - Absolutely YES!!!!
Scholari - yes
Frank - 50-50
Mancini - 50-50
Anchelotti - NO!

Players IN

(NO DECO Please!!!)
Quaresma
Van Der Vaart
Robinho
Kaka

Players out

(keep ricci at any cos!! and JT too)
ben haim
sidwell
SWP
pizzaro

Aye, cheers Lukas - although if your countrymen play like that again you won't be around long enough to be in with a shout of the GB. Very poor indeed - Croats were pretty decent from what I saw, though.

Now for the thrills of Austria v. Poland...!

124. Fifty · 4:23 PM · 12th June

Sheva has a big mental barrier, he played good this season but got hurt.
Not only he has awful luck,but he has mental barrier which prevents him to play.
I think Villa would definetly fit.
And I think we do not need a midfielder...we have too much of them!

Agree with NICK. I adore Ballack, as he's one of us and as i mentioned earlier in the week, Miroslav Klose is one of my all time fave footie players..he's my fave in the Germany squad,that's for def..i jus't can't bring myself to want the Germans to win. Unlike my Ma, who's in love with Ballack!!
I can't bring myself to support France OR Portugal either. My hatred for Horse Face by far outweighs my love for our (now 4) Chelsea boys.
I've gone neutral and want (my second tournament faves after England) Italy to win. Can't see that happening though after they got slaughtered the other day!!

Just glad i haven't put any money on them!!

Loving the Euro's at the mo..

@LTB #126

Investigative journalism of the highest order! However looking at the obscurity of your source material leads me to believe that you ought to try and spend more time searching out the company of your fellow man(woman) for face to face interaction - otherwise you may need to seek professional help

Now im even more gutted that we dint sign Luka Modric.

#127-

Habs, Loew's nickname is Yogi. I suppose they decided that they were on good terms with him.

Are they at least pronouncing his last name properly (Loov is sort of what it should sound like) or are they just calling Low?

lads and ladettes - i am shocked by those of you who are so ready to see lamps go and happy to have deco instead. have you all forgotten his 2 goals agst bolton to win us our first title in 50 yrs never mind his phenomenal scoring record - consistently the best midfielder in EPL for many years (top scoring until ronnies freaky season just gone), is rarely injured and performs at a top level week in week out. pleeeeese do me a favour and remember that after JT frank is the most important player at the club and don't be so ready to see him leave especially not for deco who apart from when he puts on a portugal shirt is a very poor replacement for superfrank! and as for robunho - have any of you seen him play the last 2 years? - agree with comment above that he's full of tricks when he's alone and going nowhere. JC is far superior. messi - would be a dream but he's going nowhere guys. so for me i think our top priority is a striker as pizarro and sheva have to go and if diddy goes then we need will 2 - stand up david villa and ???. v worried tho about villa hugging torres on the touchline suggests a move to pool may be on in which case kuyt perhaps i know his a red but anyone is entitled to find redemption. so for me i don't think we need anymore port players 3 defenders is enough. oh and last but not least let us all pray that ronnie takes big phil's advice and heads to real - ahmen!
ps my post above (no.87) sorry i meant to refer to abramovich and kenynon not avram of course.