Ronaldo backing Scolari

United star says club should fear new Chelsea boss

Last updated: 15th June 2008

Luiz Felipe Scolari Cristiano Ronaldo chat

Ronaldo with Scolari

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Cristiano Ronaldo thinks Manchester United will have a difficult task overcoming Chelsea next season with Luiz Felipe Scolari at the helm.

The Brazilian will take charge at Stamford Bridge after he has finished his duties with Portugal at Euro 2008.

And Ronaldo, who is under Scolari's charge in Austria and Switzerland, is tipping his boss to have a big impact on the Premier League.

"Scolari gives his players the ambition to play attractive, attacking football. He is a great man, a great coach," Ronaldo told The People.

"With him at Chelsea, it is going to be difficult for United."

Ronaldo is fully behind Scolari's decision to quit his role with Portugal.

"He needs to look after his future and I respect that. If you have better conditions, better things for his family and himself, I respect that he should go."

Juninho

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough legend Juninho - who played under Scolari for Brazil when they lifted the World Cup in 2002, is also backing his former boss to make an impact.

"He knows when he has to be hard, when is the time to work and the time to be serious," said Juninho.

"He is very intense. You see it when he is on the bench - shouting, talking, kicking every ball. It is the same at training. Chelsea players will know they have to take training very seriously.

"In the dressing-room, he knows when he has to shout. You always have to shout in football, to make the players listen to you.

"If he is unhappy with the players, he will let you know.

"At the World Cup, he would pay attention to everyone, even the players who were not in the team as much as they would like.

"He would take the time to talk to them and make them feel an important part of his project. That is why everyone who he has worked with is so loyal to him.

"He creates the right atmosphere, he protects the players and shows them respect.

"It is like Sir Alex Ferguson. He will shout at you, he is tough, but he will show you respect.

"That is why he was one of the best coaches I ever worked with."