Michael Ballack believes Luiz Felipe Scolari should not have been blamed for Chelsea's troubles.
Chelsea midfielder says Scolari is not to blame
Michael Ballack thinks Luiz Felipe Scolari should not have been blamed for Chelsea's poor run of form.
The World Cup-winning manager was sacked on Monday after a goalless draw at home to Hull City, the latest in a string of disappointing results.
But Ballack is disappointed Scolari's stay at Stamford Bridge was so short and insists the players should have been held responsible instead.
"It is a shame because he had not been with us for a long time," Ballack told the German website www.sport1.de.
Uncomfortable
"Of course there was some criticism and we did not get the results we all would have wanted, but that is not the manager's fault but the team's.
"Something like this is always uncomfortable."
Despite Chelsea's fading title challenge, the German midfielder still believes the club have the ability to win trophies this season.
He added: "I want to win the Champions League and play at the highest level and I can do that with Chelsea.
"Last year we were level with Manchester United on points right to the end and we lost the (UEFA Champions League) final unluckily on penalties.
"This club has high ambitions and that is what I came here for."
