Source: Telegraph
Chelsea crisis: LuizFelipe Scolari was like a fish out of water in Premier League
The season was only just over three months old, but Chelsea had already dropped 12 points at what had once been 'fortress' Stamford Bridge and Scolari cut an irritated figure.[LNB]He accused the referee of "killing" his team and even hinted at a theory that the officials' mistakes might have been deliberate.[LNB]Physically, he suddenly looked different from the hugely energetic and approachable figure who had regularly stayed behind to complete his own running schedule amid the heat and humidity of southern China during the club's pre-season tour.[LNB]Perhaps it was the demands of communicating in an unfamiliar language or maybe just the sheer volume and quality of fixtures. Whatever, Scolari appeared fatigued and a noticeably more weary demeanour never truly disappeared. Ray Wilkins, the assistant first-team coach, even admitted that he thought the manager was sometimes "extremely tired". Concerns also emerged over his health prior to the match against West Ham when he spent the night in hospital for a kidney stones problem.[LNB]The next day, Chelsea were held 1-1 and Scolari said that he agreed with the supporters who booed his team.[LNB]As results slipped amid the embarrassment of a 3-0 defeat against Manchester United, Scolari was outspoken against his players before launching into a tirade prior to the match against Stoke that was only dramatically salvaged with a late Frank Lampard goal. On that occasion, he openly challenged any members of his squad to leave if they were not fully committed to "fighting together".[LNB]Scolari also said he did not know what had happened to the spirit of his underperforming players and declared that he needed only players with "heart" and a "love" for Chelsea.[LNB]It was a risky strategy and rumblings from in and around the Chelsea squad were emerging. John Terry and Frank Lampard are understood to have asked for more intense training sessions while there was much debate about the defensive strategy at set-pieces.[LNB]Scolari also felt concerned enough about dressing-room leaks to remind players that he expected certain discussions to remain 'in-house'. [LNB]Perhaps the most damning element of Monday's statement was the suggestion that the situation under Scolari had become so dire that Chelsea would be unable to challenge for silverware if the Brazilian was left in charge. "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," it said.[LNB]It was a withering assessment of a manager who lifted the World Cup with Brazil and guided Portugal to the latter stages of several major tournaments.[LNB]However, the relentless focus on Scolari's recent international achievements had masked the glaring problem in his CV and the flawed logic behind his initial appointment.[LNB]At 60, and rather like the ageing squad he inherited, Scolari was unlikely to ever have the vigour to provide a long-term antidote to the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger and Rafael Benitez.[LNB]Most seriously, his experience of club football was from another era while his background in European club football was non-existent.[LNB]With the enormous demands of day-to-day management, returning to club football after a spell as an international manager goes against the general trend.[LNB]Attempting this feat in a foreign country and within the most competitive league in the world only magnified what was already an enormous challenge.[LNB]His sudden departure also neatly answers Ray Wilkins's complaint after the FA Cup victory against Ipswich that the media had been unfair to suggest Scolari was under pressure. As Wilkins should know, it is owners or chairmen who sack managers and recent history proves that there few as demanding and ruthless as Roman Abramovich.[LNB] [LNB]
