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Chelsea appoint Scolari as boss

12/06/2008

Chelsea have named Portugal boss Luiz Felipe Scolari as their new manager after last month's sacking of Avram Grant.

The Blues have confirmed that Scolari, who presided over a 3-1 win for his side against the Czech Republic on Wednesday, will take charge at Stamford Bridge from July 1st.

The announcement puts an end to the constant speculation linking a succession of top managers to the post since Grant's removal just days after Chelsea's Champions League final defeat.

A Chelsea statement read: "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 and to ensure minimum disruption to this work there will be no further comment from Chelsea nor from Felipe about his new role until his employment with us commences."

Scolari, who won the World Cup in 2002 with his native Brazil and led Portugal to the final of Euro 2004, was also linked with the England job in 2006.

The 59-year-old will be taking his first club job in Europe when he joins the Blues, but his record in South America is impressive.

He won the Copa Libertadores - the continent's equivalent of the Champions League - twice with Brazilian sides Gremio and Palmeiras, as well as sealing a domestic title with the former in 1996.

'Big Phil', so-called because of his authoritarian approach to management, also boasts three Brazilian Cups and three South Rio Grande Championships on his record.