Portuguese stars back Scolari move to Chelsea
Luiz Felipe Scolari has received the backing of his Portuguese stars
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Thursday, 12, Jun 2008 05:14
Two members of Chelsea's Portuguese contingent, Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira, have given their support to the appointment of Luiz Felipe Scolari as the club's new manager.
The Blues pair, who, along with recent signing Jose Bosingwa, are currently in Austria and Switzerland for Euro 2008, have spoken out in support of the appointment of Scolari as Avram Grant's successor.
Scolari, 59, is well known for turning down the England manager's job two years ago, which eventually led to Steve McClaren taking charge of the national team.
And Carvalho believes the appointment of the Brazilian-born tactician - renowned as an excellent man-manager – will be beneficial for the team, who are looking to bounce back from a first trophyless season in four years.
Speaking after Portugal's 3-1 win over the Czech Republic in Geneva last night, the centre-back is quoted by the Chelsea website as saying: "We were all shocked by the news.
"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."
Carvalho's fellow defender Paulo Ferreira, who plays at left-back under Scolari for Portugal, also praised the appointment saying he thinks Scolari is "a good manager" and "will be good for the club".
Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech, who was on the losing side in the same match, said he is eagerly anticipating the arrival of Scolari, whose contract at Chelsea begins on July 1st - two days after the final of Euro 2008.
"He is a manager with great charisma, great experience, great results. I look forward to working with him," Cech added.
Scolari's record at club and international level is a good one, having led Brazil to World Cup glory in 2002 and winning the Copa Libertadores - the South American equivalent of the Champions League - with both Gremio and Palmeiras.