Source: Telegraph
Chelsea sack Luiz Felipe Scolari
Chelsea released a statement on their website confirming that Scolari had been dismissed "with immediate effect". [LNB]The statement read: "The Chelsea board would like to place on record our gratitude for his time as manager. [LNB]"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. [LNB]"Unfortunately the results and performances of the team appeared to be deteriorating at a key time in the season. [LNB]"In order to maintain a challenge for trophies we are still competing for we felt the only option was to make the change now. [LNB]"The search for a new manager has already started and we hope to have someone in place as soon as possible. [LNB]"While that continues assistant coach Ray Wilkins will take charge of the team on a temporary basis."[LNB]Scolari was appointed in June, replacing Avram Grant, and leaves the club in fourth place in the Premier League, seven points behind Manchester United, after a 0-0 draw with Hull on Saturday. [LNB]On Sunday, Ladbrokes suggested Frank Rijkaard, the former Barcelona and Holland manager, was the favourite to be the next man in charge at Stamford Bridge. [LNB]Rijkaard's odds were 7-2, with Guus Hiddink at 4-1 and former coach Jose Mourinho a 6-1 chance, the same as West Ham's current manager and former Chelsea favourite Gianfranco Zola.[LNB]Manager succes at Stamford Bridge(Premier League results)PlayedWonDrewLostWin percentageJose Mourinho (June 2004-Sept 2007) 120 85 25 1071Avram Grant (Sept 2007-May 2008) 32 22 8269Luiz Felipe Scolari (July 2008-Feb 2009) 25 14 7 4 56Claudio Ranieri (Sept 2000-May 2004) 14676373352Gianluca Vialli(Feb 1998-Sept 2000) 94 45 29 2048Ruud Gullit (May 1996-Feb 1998) 63 30 14 198Glenn Hoddle (June 1993-May 1996) 122 38 414331Under Scolari, Chelsea lost their English record unbeaten home League record (85 gameChelsea have 49 points, the first time they have won fewer than 50 points from 25 games in the Roman Abramovich era.Premier League departures 2008-09Alan Curbishley(West Ham, Sept) Kevin Keegan (Newcastle, Sept) Juande Ramos(Tottenham, Oct) Harry Redknapp (Portsmouth, Oct) Roy Keane (Sunderland, Dec) Paul Ince (Blackburn, Dec) Tony Adams (Portsmouth, Feb) Luiz Felipe Scolari (Chelsea, Feb) [LNB]Manager in numbers(as at Feb 9) 2008-0982007-08102006-0792005-0552004-059[LNB]
