<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Chelsea confirm Brazilian will replace Grant from July Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will become the new Chelsea manager on 1st July. Scolari, who is currently masterminding Portugal's Euro 2008 challenge, has accepted an offer to replace Avram Grant at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea have confirmed that the Brazilian World-Cup winning coach will take charge after the European Championship. "Chelsea Football Club is delighted to confirm that Luiz Felipe Scolari will be the club's new manager from July 1, 2008," read a club statement. "Felipe has great qualities. He is one of the world's top coaches with a record of success at country and club level, he gets the best out of a talented squad of players and his ambitions and expectations match ours. "He was the outstanding choice. "Out of respect for his current role as Head Coach of the Portuguese national team, and to ensure minimum disruption to this work, there will be no further comment from Chelsea FC nor from Felipe about his new role until his employment with us commences." Since sacking Grant last month, Chelsea had been linked with a string of high-profile coaches across the continent. Carlo Ancelotti had appeared to be the favourite for the role before confirming his intention to stay in the Milan hot seat. Former Blues striker Mark Hughes was also understood to have been a contender before opting to leave Blackburn Rovers for Manchester City. Other names rumoured to have been in the frame included Guus Hiddink, Sven Goran Eriksson, Roberto Mancini, Frank Rijkaard and Luciano Spalletti. Winning pedigree Scolari has yet to coach at club level in Europe, but won the Copa Libertadores during stints in charge of Gremio and Palmeiras. He led Brazil to World Cup success in 2002 before later taking on the Portugal job and taking the host nation to the final of Euro 2004. The 59-year-old had been in the running to replace Eriksson as England coach in 2006 before deciding to stay with Portugal. His contract with the Portuguese Football Federation expires after Euro 2008 and he will now embark on a new adventure in the Premier League with Chelsea.</div> I personally wanted Rijkaard but im not going to moan. He's been a good manager at international level, but can he do it at club level?
http://sportstwo.com/EPL/Story/EPL/2419609 Chelsea appoints Scolari as new coach Wednesday, June 11, 2008 04:23 PM LONDON (Ticker) -- Chelsea named Luiz Felipe Scolari as its new manager Wednesday. The current coach for Portugal, Scolari was one of the favorites to succeed Avram Grant at Stamford Bridge. But the timing of Scolari's appointment has come as a huge surprise. He currently is managing Portugal at the European Championship and was not expected to make a decision about his future until after the tournament. "Chelsea Football Club is delighted to confirm that Luiz Felipe Scolari will be the club's new manager from July 1, 2008," the team said in a statement. "Felipe has great qualities. He is one of the world's top coaches with a record of success at country and club level, he gets the best out of a talented squad of players and his ambitions and expectations match ours. "He was the outstanding choice." Under Scolari, Portugal defeated the Czech Republic 3-1 Wednesday and sits atop Group A with six points, including their opening triumph over Turkey. "Out of respect for his current role as head coach of the Portuguese national team, and to ensure minimum disruption to this work, there will be no further comment from Chelsea FC nor from Felipe about his new role until his employment with us commences," the statement added.
Its a great choice by Chelsea, he's 10x better than Grant. I expect Chelsea to challenge for every cup next year and win a few. Now does anyone see Drogba leaving?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticKing @ Jun 11 2008, 10:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Its a great choice by Chelsea, he's 10x better than Grant. I expect Chelsea to challenge for every cup next year and win a few. Now does anyone see Drogba leaving?</div> 10x better? That is a bit of an exaggeration. Grant lead them to every cup this year, a penalty kick from winning the biggest prize in Europe. -Petey
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticKing @ Jun 11 2008, 10:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Its a great choice by Chelsea, he's 10x better than Grant. I expect Chelsea to challenge for every cup next year and win a few. Now does anyone see Drogba leaving?</div> is a very good tactician but how will he cope in transfer time. Could go on a complete mad one signing every man and his dog.
