Scolari to become Blues boss

Chelsea confirm Brazilian will replace Grant from July

Last updated: 11th June 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Scolari to become Blues boss

Scolari: New Chelsea boss

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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.

Outstanding choice

"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 leading 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.