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While most of Europe’s major clubs are eyeing up the talent on the pitch at this summer’s European Championships in Austria and Switzerland, it seems that Europe’s biggest spenders, Chelsea, have their eye on talent off the pitch – namely someone to take over the Stamford Bridge hotseat. The rumour mill is in overdrive with the Russian press convinced that Dutchman and current Russia manager Guss Hiddink will be unveiled as Chelsea boss the moment the tournament finishes. However, the past couple of days the momentum has been building behind a manager who has publicly stated that he will not discuss his future until after the tournament thus prompting sports reporters Europe-wide to suggest that he has already signed up to play his part in the latest instalment of Roman Abramovich’s Chelsea revolution. The man in question is Portugal coach Luis Felipe Scolari. Having been courted by England, the outspoken Brazilian rejected the chance to be Sven Goran Eriksson’s successor citing the English media pressure as well as his affection for the Portugal job. At the time he was still under contract to the Portuguese FA, but this summer ‘Big Phil’, as he is affectionately known, will be a free agent. So what qualities does Scolari have and what can he bring to Chelsea should he arrive at Stamford Bridge in the summer? One thing he certainly is, is a winner and he will bring a winning mentality to the club. He was a World Cup winner with Brazil in 2002 and since taking over Portugal has moulded a team that in 2004 were runners-up at EURO 2004, World Cup semi-finalists in 2006 and are currently one of the favourites to lift the European Championship this summer. But how will he take to the rumoured influence owner Roman Abramovich has over team and squad affairs? Will he be able to work with Frank Arnesen whose role is to identify players and oversee the club’s transfer policy? Certainly Scolari is a strong character and while he is an authoritative figure, he is well liked and respected by his players. Chelsea defenders and Portuguese internationals Ricardo Carvalho and Paolo Ferriera who have both played under Scolari both have nothing but praise for him. Indeed, reports coming out from the Portugal camp quote both players publicly voicing their backing for Scolari. Carvalho is quoted as saying “He is a top manager. He keeps all the players together and he is very strong with the people in the squad. Sometimes players need that, and as a man, he is great as well.” Ferriera went further with a desire to see Scolari as his next manager at Chelsea. “If you talk about the top teams, they don't only want good players, they want a top manager as well. Scolari is a good manager, so why not?” said Ferreira. “I would like him but he will not say anything until after the tournament.”
Should Scolari arrive at Stamford Bridge then he has the personality, the drive and the ambition to be what Avram Grant was not. Ridiculed for his less than media friendly persona, Scolari is the exact opposite - a showman on the pitch and off it. He would bring back the theatre to Chelsea press conferences.
For Abramovich, however, the search for a new manager is vital and it has to be right. He has to have the right attributes as another trophy-less season will not be tolerated. It is this success that he craves but he may to have to accept that what he disliked about Mourinho, he may have to endure with Scolari if he wants his club to be victorious.
It is this uncertainty over his personal traits that still have some believing that Carlo Ancelotti is the preferred choice for the Stamford Bridge hierarchy, however it seems that there players who would prefer to play for someone like they had and lost and hope they can again find!
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