Carvalho welcomes Big Phil

Chelsea defender delighted by managerial appointment

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 12th June 2008

Luiz Felipe Scolari Portugal Chelsea

Scolari: Carvalho shock

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Ricardo Carvalho has backed Luiz Felipe Scolari to be a success in his new post as Chelsea manager.

The Portugal boss was named as the new Stamford Bridge chief on Wednesday, and will officially take charge of the Blues from 1st July.

Despite being widely accepted as one of the names in the frame to replace Avram Grant at the Premier League club, the timing of his appointment has come as a surprise as no decision was expected to be made until after Euro 2008.

The Brazilian's pedigree is beyond question, having led the country of his birth to World Cup glory in 2002 and guiding Portugal to the final of Euro 2004 and the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

The Blues have pulled off a major coup by luring the experienced coach away from his current post, especially as England failed so spectacularly to do so in 2006.

Shocked

Scolari will be hoping to sign off from Portugal with a Euro 2008 winners' medal, while one of his international stars that he will be getting reacquainted with at a domestic level this summer feels that Chelsea have recruited the ideal candidate to take the club forward.

"We were all shocked by the news," Carvalho said in the aftermath of Portugal's 3-1 victory over Czech Republic on Wednesday.

"We heard the rumours but didn't guess he would be going to Chelsea after the Euros.

"He is a great manager and a big personality. He's the kind of guy that players respond to and I think we can go forward with him."

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