By dixon9
February 11 2009

In the aftermath of Big Phil Scolari´s departure from Chelsea there have been plenty of people with plenty to say. Players and ex-players are in part 1, managers, journalists and Scolari himself in part 2 and lastly but just as importantly, the fans themselves in part 3. (Part 2 here):

The Managers

“I am really surprised.  It is a shock so soon – he only took the job seven months ago. He is a man of great experience; he took Brazil to [become] World Cup winners – and was the obvious choice to replace Avram Grant. It is a sign of the times. There is absolutely no patience in the world now.”

“It just seems to be more volatile now. You can’t always blame the press – but it plays a part, the way the tabloids are – competing against the internet and Sky News – there is a sensationalism every time someone has a bad result.”

Ferguson

“Ferguson is a unique case at Manchester United.  He is the only one who has been in charge for many years. European and Brazilian football managers are not given enough time to do their job and get to know their players. In Brazil and Europe they play too many games and don’t have enough time to prepare.”

“Yes, no doubt about it – he’ll find a new job. He’s a great champion and an established trainer who was with Palmeiras and national teams. There’s no doubt about his quality.”

Dunga

“It is a surprise and I feel sorry for him. Unfortunately it is part of our job; it happens.”

Lippi

“We could have done without this change, now the players will have an excuse and I, who had studied Scolari’s team by memory, will have to start from the beginning.

“It will be another Chelsea and I will only have two weeks to get to know it.”

Ranieri

The Journos

A dearth of top-class wingers and a surplus of stodgy midfielders meant Scolari inherited an unbalanced squad and injuries to Didier Drogba and Michael Essien were certainly grievous blows. Scolari, however, proved unable to overcome these problems, seemingly failing to inspire his players and certainly coming up short in terms of devising a coherent shape or a cutting tempo.

The addition of Ricardo Quaresma - and a belated, given the circumstances, confidence in youngsters such as Miroslav Stoch and even Gael Kakuta - may have helped given time, but Chelsea’s decision to cut him loose now suggests the Brazilian’s relationship with key players was beyond retrieving.

Paul Doyle

Scolari’s reign has exposed that as a myth.

It transpires Abramovich wants the same as any director or supporter. He wants his team to win; and when they do not, he wants to nail the guy responsible.Scolari did not do a good job at Chelsea.

His team set off at a sprint, but quickly tired and his methods were one-dimensional. Once Chelsea’s rivals had worked out the game-plan, they were easy to stop, and Scolari did not seem able to provide an alternative.

So there is mitigation for this decision, yes; or there would be if Chelsea did not seem to be a club that has completely lost its bearings.

Chelsea were splendid to watch but, by the time of Saturday’s goalless draw with Hull City, this was a team satisfying none of Abramovich’s criteria. Winning? No. Entertaining? No. This season, Chelsea have failed to win in nine of 19 games at Stamford Bridge.

Indeed, Manchester United’s recent run of 1,212 minutes without conceding a League goal has included a run of eight 1-0 wins in 13 matches. That is Mourinho form. That is what Chelsea had, but it was not pretty enough for some people in the owner’s box.

They wanted excitement: and now they have got it.

Martin Samuel

The arrival of the three men at Chelsea’s training ground was not, in itself, a cause for alarm. It was the expressions on their faces that suggested something was amiss. Roman Abramovich was wearing the look that his associates call “the death mask”. It was a look that would very soon wipe the smile off the face of Luiz Felipe Scolari, albeit only briefly.

And so it was that the death mask returned to Abramovich’s face as he prepared to carry out the executioner’s duties once more. Scolari accepted his fate with a smile. He is no fool. He knew it would come to this one day. It always does. It probably always will.  

Matt Hughes

The shadow cast over Stamford Bridge is clad in a sharp Armani overcoat.

Matt Dickinson

Scolari and his agent

“It seems that Abramovich made the decision,”

“He (Scolari) was not in a comfortable situation despite having the support of the squad and Peter Kenyon.

“The Chelsea squad are old. Felipe tried to rejuvenate it, but unsuccessfully.

“He asked (the board) to sign Deco and Robinho, but they only brought Deco.”

Fellegger

“I wish luck to Chelsea in the three competitions they are involved in."

“I also take this opportunity to confirm that I will keep living in London and I will respond to the media soon.”

Scolari

Part 3 - The fans

http://www.thefootballnetwork.net/main/s379/st139974.htm

The Scolari aftermath in Chelsea in quotes -Part 2

Discussion started by 50 Years Over 100 Years , 11/02/2009 12:27

50 Years Over 100 Years
11/02/2009 12:27

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nicothetaff
12/02/2009 23:46

Hello to everyone on this messageboard. New to the site, been a Chelsea fan for 30 years, travel to about 10 home games a season from south wales.. took my son to his first game against stoke.

Reckon Scolari had to go guys, he was tactically inept, the players (i feel) didnt enjoy playing for him either. Granted (no pun intended) that he was without Essien, Cole, Terry, Ricky, Deco (is he still here??!!) and Drgba for a lot of the games... but we were missing "big names" last year and still played with some pride.. thats what was lacking.. pride and passion. When the going gets tough and all that!

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dixon9
13/02/2009 14:07

Fair enough nico (or do we call you "Taff" ?!!).

My own feeling is that he was let down in terms of support from the club but I have to recognise that it wasn´t working.

Hopefully Hiddink will turn things around and get the best out of our squad.

Welcome to the board and we hope to see you on here regularly in the future.



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"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.

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