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World Soccer views and news
Who is most likely to follow Hiddink at Chelsea?
Interim Chelsea coach Guus Hiddink is adamant that he will be leaving at the end of the season to concentrate on the Russia job.
Chelsea fans who had been hoping the Dutchman would decide to stay must now start contemplating a fourth manager in two years.
Frank Rijkaard is unemployed and the style of football his Barcelona side managed when winning the Champions League in 2006 would definitely go down well at the Bridge, especially after some dour displays in recent times.
On the downside, the Dutchman had a little run in with Chelsea when they met Barca in Europe a few years back while his agent has said he is enjoying a break from the game.
Roberto Mancini also has great pedigree and would seem available having been sacked by Inter Milan at the end of last season despite leading them to a third straight scudetto. (more…)
Scolari pays price for Premier League impatience
From our main soccer site:
If John Terry had remained upright for half a second more on a soggy Moscow night in May then Avram Grant would probably still be battling for honours on all fronts as Chelsea manager.
As it was, the England centre-half went flying and sent his penalty wide, minutes later Manchester United were crowned European champions and Chelsea’s wait to get their name on the trophy went on.
Grant was immediately sent packing.
His replacement, Luiz Felipe Scolari, was sacked on Monday after seven months as the impatience, some might call it breathtaking arrogance, of the modern game’s big clubs returned to the spotlight.
There is only one Champions League trophy and one domestic league for these mighty businesses to chase but when they are not secured, and sometimes even when they are, the reaction is often to rip it all up and start again with a new man. (more…)
I have watched Chelsea while Mourinho was their coach, and they could not have played very fancy but they won a premier league.
I was astonished when I knew they sacked Mourinho. I mean before him, Chelsea was a kind of old Manchester City buying players to create a great team, which they didn’t. The main trouble with Chelsea I believe, is that they are wanting so madly to get the Champions League and Premier League trophies that they are losing focus on a long term time.
How can they build a team if they have not a player source?. On the other hand, I know it is difficult to get either a Ferguson’s or Wenger’s like coach, but they cannot just dismantle a team and change couches like they were useless.
Nowadays soccer has become a very profitable entertainment source but, sure most of you agree that you only see the bigger teams and some Champions League games.
Regards,
Scolari sacked by Chelsea – your views
Chelsea have sacked manager Luiz Felipe Scolari after just over half a season in charge.
“Luiz Felipe Scolari has been dismissed as manager of Chelsea Football Club with immediate effect,” a statement said on www.chelseafc.com.
Some would say it is out of the blue but others might not be so surprised. On the day Portsmouth also axed Tony Adams, it just goes to show the pressure on clubs in modern football.
Chelsea have been on a bad run for their standards but it is a big risk to switch coaches just weeks before their Champions League last 16 tie with Juventus.
PHOTO: A combination of file pictures shows Luiz Felipe Scolari watching Chelsea against Manchester United during their Premier League match at Stamford Bridge, Sept. 21, 2008. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
Firstly, to all that say that Avram Grant didnt do well we must bear in mind that we were inches away from winning the champions league under him and we were on level points with united on the final day of the season. Secondy, the passion is almost non existent in our players. With the exception of frank lampard, john terry and joe cole (who is injured for the rest of the season) the rest of our squad has seemed ‘lazy’ this season. Michal Essien is a major key player who has been injured all season, so all in all i feel that there was far to much pressure on scolari from the start. I feel bad because i like the guy, but we need someone who can intill the passion and drive in the players which we so desperately need. Where would we be if Mourhino was still with us? We miss you Jose, thankyou for what you did for us.
Was Ferguson right all along about Chelsea?
Chelsea gear up for an easy-looking FA Cup tie at home to Ipswich Town this weekend knowing the match will be anything but given their recent form.
The crushing 3-0 defeat to rivals Manchester United recently was just one of a string of lacklustre performances and while their struggles may come as a shock to many, United boss Alex Ferguson saw this coming some time ago.
Looking into his crystal ball last July, a month before the new Premier League season had started, Ferguson boldly stated that new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari had inherited a Chelsea squad which had already peaked and that progress was unlikely.
This season’s performances include six draws and three defeats in the league, while they were losing 1-0 at home to Stoke City last weekend before late goals gave then a 2-1 win. (more…)
ok mr jack if u know so much why havent you mentioned 1 what team u support lol poss chelsea o.a.p´s….and i think u have your figures wrong on both nani and anderson so how much u know so ha… never the less what about johnny evans, flecther, rafel, fabio, fraizer campbell…how much did they cost all together and i think you will find out that you wouldn´t even be able to buy 1 chelsea o.a.p so that my point end of really will wait for the reply….lol
Scolari is actually the calm in the Chelsea storm
The immediate future of Chelsea, and their Brazilian manager Luiz Felipe Scolari is about as clear as the fog that almost led to the postponement of their FA Cup replay at Southend United on Wednesday.
Although many insiders believe there is little real prospect of the World Cup winning coach leaving Stamford Bridge despite fans’ disgruntlement, there is plenty that needs to be put right if Chelsea are to end the season basking in the sunlight.
The confusion in west London though, is not just centred on what tactics 60-year-old Scolari should employ and who might actually be playing for or leaving the team.
Off the field there are continuing, unsettling rumours about whether Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, the man who has bankrolled the club’s most successful period since their formation in 1905, is still in love with the boys in blue. (more…)
The common denominator was indeed Steve Clarke. All was well until he left to join Franco. I don’t think Scolari can cut it with big egos, yes okay he managed Brasil but he clearly prefers to be a father figure/leader to a younger team so CFC need a clear out of the old guard. Perhaps if Man City want to but into Terry that would be great.
Good to see young names on the bench today. Well done the old man 
(Lamps-what a good season so far) for pulling us out of the fire against Stoke!
Time for Scolari to unleash Drogba and Anelka together?
Chelsea are struggling to score goals but manager Luiz Felipe Scolari says he can’t accommodate both Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba in the same team.
Scolari’s outstanding record as a coach of club and national teams means that us little people should think twice, or more, before questioning his tactics.
But when the team is booed off the pitch, as they were after Sunday’s 1-1 draw with West Ham, it is surely fair to ask if it’s time for a change of approach.
Drogba has hardly played this season due to injury and suspension and the fans were desperate to have him back leading the line.
In last week’s Champions League game against Cluj he came on midway through the second half with the teams level at 1-1 and within six minutes had scored the well-taken winner that guaranteed the club’s progress into the knockout stage.
On Sunday he was introduced at halftime and…six minutes later provided the neat flick to Frank Lampard that opened the way for Anelka’s equaliser.
Asked afterwards if he would consider starting with the “dangerous” pairing up front, Scolari said it was dangerous at both ends, saying the change of balance leaves his midfield too exposed.
I would definitely play them together. There problem is they play 4-4-2. they should take out Mikel and add Joe Cole as the 3 striker and play 4-3-3.
Scowling Scolari needs a rethink
Defeat to Arsenal means Luiz Felipe Scolari is facing his first big test as Chelsea manager and there are plenty of people waiting to see how the volatile Brazilian handles it.
Until a few weeks ago everything was sweetness and light at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea set the pace in the Premier League title race. They were scoring goals for fun and Scolari was seen as a breath of fresh air with his jovial manner.
The cracks are now starting to appear, however, as results turn sour. Last week he said he would have to go back to Brazil if Chelsea failed to make the last 16 of the Champions League.
The 1-1 draw with Bordeaux, in which they were dreadful, means they still have work to do on that front when CFR Cluj come to London next week.
Most worryingly for Scolari, what was once a fortress at Stamford Bridge under previous managers Jose Mourinho and Avram Grant is suddenly looking a little flimsy. (more…)
I think he will do fine. There is still alot of soccer to be played but i am scared for him. The owner of Chelsea (Roman) is very picky and needs his team to play PERFECT and right now they arent. With Jose and Arvam; at home, Chelsea was unbeatable, gaureenteed win, but now, not so much. He better get into the last 16 of the CL if not, then i say, bye bye back to Brazil, because he will get canned if he doesnt get into CL and/or at least win UEFA cup.
Vlog on the Pitch: Scolari is a tough man to please
Chelsea seemed to do just about everything right in their Champions League victory over Bordeaux this week but new coach Luiz Felipe Scolari was not overly impressed.
Check out the latest Vlog on the Pitch as Owen Wyatt and Jon Bramley try to work out why the Brazilian was so underwhelmed.
Was Scolari over-critical? What is Ray Wilkins going to bring to the party? And who do you fancy for the weekend clash between Chelsea and United?
Let us know in the comments, or record a video of your own and we’ll embed it here…
Luis know how to win. His attitude and experience is the best for Chelsea.
Chelsea is awesome, i love him and all my prayers for him only.