Source: Daily_Mail
SACKED! Poor results cost Scolari as Chelsea sensationally axe coach
HAVE YOUR SAY: Did Big Phil Scolari deserve to get the sack at Chelsea[LNB]Chelsea[LNB]have sensationally sacked manager Luiz Felipe Scolari, just hours after Tony Adams was booted out of Portsmouth[LNB].[LNB]A statement on the club's official website revealed the move had been made 'tomaintain a challenge for the trophies we are still competing for'.[LNB]Scolari, who coached Brazil to World Cup glory in 2002, was this afternoon dismissed with the Stamford Bridge club fourth in the Barclays Premier League - seven pointsbehind leaders Manchester United[LNB]having played a game more.[LNB]In a short statement, written in Portuguese, Scolari said: 'I appreciate the opportunity to have worked at Chelsea and in English football.[LNB]'It was a very valuable experience. I regret that our time together has not lasted longer.[LNB]'I wish luck to Chelsea in the three competitions that they are disputing. [LNB]'I will continue to live in London,' he added.[LNB] Sacked: Luiz Felipe Scolari[LNB] TODAY'S POLL Who do you think should replace Scolari as the new manager of Chelsea?[LNB]VOTE POLL RESULTS Close[LNB] All polls[LNB]Click to view yesterday's poll results[LNB] The 60-year-old has paid the price following a poor run of results that included recent defeats against title rivals United and Liverpool[LNB], and culminated with a dismal 0-0 draw against Hull City[LNB]at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, a result that was met with boos from the home supporters.[LNB]The Brazilian won 20 of his 36 games in charge following his appointment as the replacement for Avram Grant last summer, but a record of 14 victories in 25 Premier League matches has left the club trailing behind United, Liverpool and even Aston Villa[LNB]in the title race.[LNB] CHELSEA FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET[LNB]Blues swing the axe on the man Kenyon described as one of the best in the world [LNB]Fans want Chelsea legend Zola to step in to replace sacked Scolari at the Bridge [LNB]Who's next: Sportsmail's guide to who will replace Big Phil at Stamford Bridge [LNB]Chelsea's last four managers set to cost the club an amazing £40million [LNB]Where did it all go wrong? The results that cost Scolari his job[LNB]Big Phil Scolari's Chelsea record: 20 wins out of 36 games not enough to save his job[LNB]2008/09 sack race - the full list of managerial departures this season [LNB]Fed up fans turn on Chelsea boss Scolari after latest slip-up against Hull [LNB]I won't walk out on West Ham for Chelsea, Zola tells Blues fans[LNB]I've got the Blues: Drogba admits life is currently a little difficult at Chelsea [LNB]Chelsea hero Zola admits the Blues' title hopes are over as United beat Hammers [LNB][LNB]Russia national coach Guus Hiddink is among the early front-runners tipped to replace Scolari, while assistant coach Ray Wilkins will take charge of the team on a temporary basis and has also been tipped as one of the contenders to take over permanently. [LNB] Candidate: Russia's national team coach Guus Hiddink[LNB] Special place: Zola has said he is happy at West Ham but that Chelsea is a special place for him[LNB] [LNB]Countdown: Time has finally caught up with Scolari after he was sacked by Chelsea[LNB]West Ham[LNB]boss Gianfranco Zola has also been linked with a return, although the Italian insisted only days ago that he wouldn't walk out on the Hammers in order to take over at Stamford Bridge.[LNB] HAVE YOUR SAY... DID BIG PHIL SCOLARI DESERVE TO GET THE SACK AT CHELSEA? Luiz Felipe Scolari has been fired by Chelsea after 36 games at the helm. Yet, the Brazilian only lost six matches, and one of those was on penalties! Do you think it was time for Big Phil to go? Or would you have given him more time?[LNB][LNB]TELL US WHAT YOU THINK[LNB] But in a statement already released by Zola's lawyers he has refused to rule out a return to Stamford Bridge.The statement said: 'Gianfranco is very happy at West Ham and still thanks them for giving him the opportunity to be a coach in the Premier League.'It is very difficult to say if anything will happen but Chelsea is a special place for Gianfranco Zola.'Other candidates to replace Scolari include Roberto Mancini, Carlo Ancelotti and Giovanni Trapattoni.[LNB]Chelsea, in an unusually blunt statement, said: 'Luiz Felipe Scolari has been dismissed as manager of Chelsea Football Club today (Monday) with immediate effect. The Chelsea board would like to place on record our gratitude for his time as manager. [LNB] Tempting fate: These Chelsea fans at Stamford Bridge on Saturday have got their wish.[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 the 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]Scolari becomes the eighth Premier League manager to depart this season, following Adams (Portsmouth) earlier today, Paul Ince (Blackburn), Roy Keane (Sunderland), Juande Ramos (Tottenham), Harry Redknapp (Portsmouth), Alan Curbishley (West Ham) and Kevin Keegan (Newcastle).[LNB]HAVE YOUR SAY: Did Big Phil Scolari deserve to get the sack at Chelsea[LNB][LNB] CHELSEA FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET[LNB]Blues swing the axe on the man Kenyon described as one of the best in the world [LNB]Fans want Chelsea legend Zola to step in to replace sacked Scolari at the Bridge [LNB]Who's next: Sportsmail's guide to who will replace Big Phil at Stamford Bridge [LNB]Chelsea's last four managers set to cost the club an amazing £40million [LNB]Where did it all go wrong? The results that cost Scolari his job[LNB]Big Phil Scolari's Chelsea record: 20 wins out of 36 games not enough to save his job[LNB]2008/09 sack race - the full list of managerial departures this season [LNB]Fed up fans turn on Chelsea boss Scolari after latest slip-up against Hull [LNB]I won't walk out on West Ham for Chelsea, Zola tells Blues fans[LNB]I've got the Blues: Drogba admits life is currently a little difficult at Chelsea [LNB]Chelsea hero Zola admits the Blues' title hopes are over as United beat Hammers [LNB][LNB] [LNB]
