Chelsea Football Club

• Nickname:Blues
• Founded:1905
• Manager:Rafael Benitez

• Ground:Stamford Bridge
• Capacity:42440

Blues slammed by Portugal

20 Jun 2008 - 13:03:17

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The Portuguese Football Federation have blasted the timing of Chelsea's confirmation that Luiz Felipe Scolari had decided to become their new manager.

Scolari's Portugal side crashed out of Euro 2008 on Thursday evening as they lost 3-2 in their quarter-final against Germany.

Afterwards, FPF president Gilberto Madail admitted that he had hoped that the Blues would maintain their silence until after the summer action had finished.

He told reporters: "It wasn't the best moment for us for Chelsea to announce Scolari's appointment.

"I know Scolari had nothing to do with it and I was surprised, not by the appointment, because Scolari is a great coach, but at the timing chosen.

"I wish Chelsea would have consulted us before, so that we could have chosen a better time.

"I knew when we entered the tournament that Scolari would leave and we respected his wishes. His cycle with Portugal had ended because he wanted a new experience with a club.

"There was nothing we could do. It was a financial issue and we couldn't match Chelsea's offer.

"Whether some like it or not, he left a mark in Portuguese football. He is a spectacular coach who made a huge impact and that will remain in the history of Portugal."