Scolari sacked by Chelsea

Grant linked with sensational Stamford Bridge return

By Rob Parrish   Last updated: 9th February 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Scolari sacked by Chelsea

Scolari: Sacked

In order to maintain a challenge for the trophies we are still competing for we felt the only option was to make the change now.

Chelsea statement.
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Following the departure of Luiz Felipe Scolari, Sky Bet make Guus Hiddink the 3/1 favourite to take over at Chelsea. Avram Grant is the 4/1 second favourite while José Mourinho is an outsider at 16/1.
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Chelsea have sacked Luiz Felipe Scolari, with Guus Hiddink and Avram Grant immediately linked to the Stamford Bridge post.

The Brazilian only took charge of the Blues in the summer and after a promising start the club have slipped to fourth in the table, seven points adrift of Manchester United.

Saturday's 0-0 draw at home to Hull City proved to be the final straw for the World Cup winner and the Premier League outfit have now confirmed his departure.

A statement on the club's official website read: "Luiz Felipe Scolari has been dismissed as manager of Chelsea Football Club today (Monday) with immediate effect.

"The Chelsea board would like to place on record our gratitude for his time as manager.

Sadness

"Felipe has brought many positives to the club since he joined and we all feel a sense of sadness that our relationship has ended so soon.

"Unfortunately the results and performances of the team appeared to be deteriorating at a key time in the season.

"In order to maintain a challenge for the trophies we are still competing for we felt the only option was to make the change now.

"The search for a new manager has already started and we hope to have someone in place as soon as possible.

"While that continues assistant coach Ray Wilkins will take charge of the team on a temporary basis."

Grant

Sky Sports News understands that the club have already compiled a two-man shortlist to replace Scolari, with Hiddink and Grant the names in the frame.

Grant stepped into the breach following Jose Mourinho's departure before being axed at the end of the season despite finishing second in the Premier League and reaching the UEFA Champions League final.

Hiddink has been linked with a host of Premier League posts after his exploits as Russia coach, including reaching the Euro 2008 semi-finals.

One possibility is that the duo could work together, with Hiddink taking charge of team affairs and Grant operating as director of football.

In the meantime, Wilkins will take temporary charge of the Blues as they prepare for Saturday's FA Cup clash with Watford.

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Comments (103)

Ian Mcelwee (Newcastle United fan) says...

in my opinion Chelsea are a big club but before Abramovich came with his millions they were just an average side,they have a long way to go to achieve half of liverpools honours all be it they were in the 70/80's,you think they were the best thing since bread and butter because they have won 2 premiership titles & without the Russian millions they would NOT be challenging for major honours as they have been WITH the millions

Posted 06:28 10th February 2009

Chris Soetan (Manchester United fan) says...

"A rolling stone, gathers no moss". The mistake Abramowich made when he sacked, Jose and Avram is now being repeated. He ought to have allowed Scolari to grow in the British type of football. Apart from this, a host of the Chelsea players are not only old but cannot take in fresh ideas; they are saturated and their legs made bigger by their weekly wages. Scolari is not the reason why Chelsea is doing "poorly" going by Abramowich standard but the boys themselves. When you see them play, you immediately see that there is no love or oneness in them which would have generated a positive team spirit. We, who are their rivals, could sense that there are internal rancours which are yet to be resolved amongst the players. You watch Drogba, he would rather prefer to let the ball taken off him rather than give it out to someone who would have gainfully utilised it particulary in more crucial moments, ditto for Anelka and the German captain, forgotten his name just now. These are key players who can only thrive collectively and not individually. It is these players that Abramowich should have sorted out first and not Scolari. If I were Avram Grant, I would not honour this call but the million pounds always involved would let him forget how he was previously humiliated and shamed out at a time when his input and efforts to lift Chelsea to second position both in the Premiership and Champions League ought to have been acknowledged. I wish Chelsea best of luck.

Posted 05:51 10th February 2009

Antony Adelaar (Chelsea fan) says...

I don't understand. Surely time is required to finetune the style of a dozen single-minded men and create beauty on the pitch. Roman is too hasty. And Grant? Good grief. He's sullen and lacks the charisma which created the excitement under Mourinho. Please leave him out of it. We need the passion. Big Phil at least brought this passion...

Posted 05:49 10th February 2009

Hassan Al hassany (Chelsea fan) says...

This was so shocking to me in the morning that I lost my appetite for breakfast! A great premier league club such as Chelsea should not be sacking managers every year or less just because they're not on a winning streak. If the managers keep changing and Chelsea are still not winning anything, that means there is something wrong with the players! This simply isn't a nice gesture from Chelsea. What are they going to do now? Place an ad saying, "Managerial post available, short-term job only"

Posted 05:46 10th February 2009

Salil S (Manchester United fan) says...

Very disappointing news he is a fantastic manager besides it was his first season not everybody is JOSE M. ,should have been given at least the complete season there is still the UCL .It would have been a great battle between two SIR ALEX and PHIL SCOLARI

Posted 04:28 10th February 2009

Paul Spiteri says...

Hull Suporter Well the tigers struggled against Chelsea, but the Tigers did beat Arsenal at home, settled for a draw against liverpool, scored 3 goals against Man Utd at Old Trafford when they had conceded a sole goal in their perceding 5 games. We used to chant Osgood "No Good". in 1966 in Boothferry Park. When Osgood had scored he had made good by scoring. Up with Tigers. Pity we badly need 3 points and a positive turn of fortune. The rule of averages should soon get to work I hope! Tigers roar and roar. Folan Fagan Cousin Geovanni Barmbie, Mendy Dawson Fayette,Ricketts, Turner, Halmosi, Marley Kemble...... let's turn black and amber to GOLD. Waggie and Chilo made it in '66 and we will make it in the Premiere for years to come.....time we tell...

Posted 04:05 10th February 2009

The Stinger (Liverpool fan) says...

There's got to be something else to this. Even though results and the way Chelsea has been playing recenlty certainly hasn't helped Scolari's position, there must have been something else that occured that the public doesn't know aout. Whether it be a falling out, or an argument, just recent results (only just over 1 month) could not have been the whole catalyst for Scolari's sacking. Its just ridiculous to see how managers are treated these days. Just sickening. Even though I hate these clubs, I feel for the individual and their families to endure this type of treatment. Except when it happened to Mourinho, that was the best thing ever!!!

Posted 03:25 10th February 2009

Robin Kilty (Chelsea fan) says...

I think Scolari isn't to blame, more the loss of Steve Clarke. He has been a major factor behind Chalsea's success I believe. Even if the special one came back, I still think we need Clarke. Wilkins may be a legend at the Bridge, but he never was and never will be management material. Worried about Watford now! :)

Posted 02:59 10th February 2009

Mike Wolf (Chelsea fan) says...

When Jose left I feared the worst.Avram did OK because Jose left him a good team to inherit he actually didn,t have to do anything. Now nobody fears Chelsea be it away or even at our beloved Bridge which was once invincible under Jose. Now all teams believe they can pinch something at a Chelsae game.We have no attack,no strikers anybody worries about.Roman won,t eat humble pie and ask Jose back so whoever we get will always be second best choice for me but as many have said here lets get Steve Clarke back and bring Gianfranco with him. club legends who would actually give a damn about getting us back to being a side other Premiere managers pencilled in as NIL POINTS in their fixture list.

Posted 01:33 10th February 2009

John Ifergan (Arsenal fan) says...

Roman Abramovich has absolutely lost the plot He want immediate success He has changed Now 4 coaches in the last 5 years He is Mental

Posted 23:42 9th February 2009

Richard Hicks (Chelsea fan) says...

Shocking!! I am very concerned with what is happening at Chelsea!!I seriously belive he was not given enough time!

Posted 23:36 9th February 2009

John B (Chelsea fan) says...

We have never recovered from the thumping we took in the CL away to Roma. We went from a free scoring and reasonably entertaining side to one that became one dimensional and easily sussed. Scolari has had 20 matches since then to put it right and has failed. Good managers need a plan B, great managers have plans B & C, Scolari only had plan A. God only knows what Ray wilkins will do whilst he is at the helm, I wish him well although if things do not improve then he could become a target for the fans frustration. Who will succeed Scolari? I don't know but they will require the full support of the owner and board in order to turn this mess around.

Posted 23:08 9th February 2009

Rick Kerfoot (Chelsea fan) says...

How come none of you have made this much fuss over Tony Adam's sacking? Strange, maybe it's because you know how much of a good job Scolari was doing running the team into the ground. I know a lot of the players haven't turned up this season, but if you can't get the players to play for you, then your not doing your job properly. Don't forget where this squad was at the end of last season with a manager who hasn't won a World Cup.

Posted 23:07 9th February 2009

Aaron Johnson (Chelsea fan) says...

They must get either Guus Hiddink (who was brillian as coach of Australia) or Jose Mourinho back .... two options ... it's that simple !!!

Posted 23:06 9th February 2009

Lynn Oliver (Chelsea fan) says...

I must admit I was surprised to hear Big Phil had been sacked, but then again, why should I be. RA will never be satisfied, even if Chelsea were to win the quad.... he'd find something to complain about. Look Jose did for us and that wasn#r good enough. That was when the heart went out of the players. Oh they have played well much of the time, but if there is always an underlying fear the manager will disappear if they have a bad run (as they are having now) it will affect their play. With Arsenal and Man U the fans know the manager is there for the duration and so back the team and he manager through the good and bad times. Who ever takes over from big Phil will ave a problem with the board, and RA in particular. Would Jose come back? A majority of fans would hope so, but reality tells me its not likely to happen as long as RA owns the club... (oh how I hope I am wrong!!)...unless he was given full reign to run the team his way and a long (say 5 years) minimum period to re-build the team and the spirit that has drained over the last 18 month... I wish all the luck in the world to the new manager, and hope the players give their all (as they have done i the past), and the fans give him their full support.

Posted 23:01 9th February 2009

Lewis Jones (Chelsea fan) says...

I totally agree with Anders Christian that many Arsenal/Liverpool fans suddenly say Chelsea are a "Small London club" just because they fell of the pace this season. No offence but Spurs and Newcastle frequently call themsleves "a Big club" when lets face it they have won nothing apart from a league cup. Chelsea had won F.A Cups/League cups and were in the Champions League before Abromovich took over and even though i would not call them a big club they are certainly not small. I think it's arrogant for these fans to say this when both sides have not one too much over the years. Only Man U can honestly call themselves this, as they have been over the years the most consitent top performers and also have had the best players. Finally i don't know why Frank Rijkaard is not being mentioned. He transformed Barca, has won spanish honours and also European Champions League. for me he would have been my first choice in the summer. Please Cheslea try and get him not Avram!

Posted 22:44 9th February 2009

Mohamud Ali (Chelsea fan) says...

Let the guy go, he was useless and brought nothing to our beloved team. H e spent some considerable money to buy some lazy players like Deco???? Go and get lost. I like Drogba to be next to exit door. Man U and Arsenal and Liverpool keep quiet, you lot will win nothing!!!!

Posted 22:42 9th February 2009

Dafe Okoro (Arsenal fan) says...

I just want to say that the managers deserve some respect.I felt bad just this morning about Adams who was sacked.Only to see that of Scolari this afternoon.The players are not doing enough so are the fans.I believe its because of the fear of relegation.No team wants to go down.I just wish Arsen is watching.We are getting fed up with his inexperience and out of date players:eboua,kolo,gallas,bendtner,danilson.Maybe it would be his turn next time.

Posted 22:37 9th February 2009

Mikea Kubayi (Arsenal fan) says...

He was not strong enough to deal with the English media,fans and the league.Sidelining Drogba and using only Anelka upfront was his first mistake. He should have learned from Liverpool and Man Utd, they field their proven players despite their off field antics. Good timing from Roman, there is still time for recovery.

Posted 22:32 9th February 2009

Henry Essang (Chelsea fan) says...

Scolari should have been given more time but unfortunately, thats one commodity Chelsea doesn't have. We have to win the Champions league before Abrahamovic gets broke and with the global financial crisis takings its toll, there's no time for experiment. Jose Mourinho was very inspirational to the players and thats what is lackingnow. The Players need to play with more gut and ambition. No coach can give the players ambition.

Posted 22:31 9th February 2009

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