Luiz Felipe Scolari says he could return to the Premier League after next year’s World Cup, insisting he has not been put off by his experience at Chelsea, where dressing-room unrest led to his sacking in 2009. In an exclusive interview with the Guardian, the Brazil manager even raises the unlikely possibility of going back to Stamford Bridge.
Scolari endured a turbulent seven-month spell at Chelsea before his departure in February 2009. Afterwards he identified Petr Cech, Michael Ballack and Didier Drogba as problem players and claimed he was forced out of the club because of their influence with the owner Roman Abramovich. All three deny putting any pressure on the Russian to sack Scolari. However, Scolari admits his open personality might have contributed to the dressing room unrest which ultimately cost him his job.
“Latin people are too open, we work a lot with our heart. Some people don’t understand that and create difficulties for you,” he said. “I wish my work at Chelsea could have lasted longer, especially because I was prepared to spend at least two or three seasons in London and experience the Premiership.
“I was upset by the way my departure occurred. I was being honest with the club in everything I did. We were doing reasonably well on the pitch. A few players did not agree with the decisions I had to take for the good of the team. I heard them complaining and saying: ‘I do not play in this or that position.’ Never mind that one of the players I had put into the first team was actually one of the league’s top-scorer at that point.”
Scolari, however, still nurtures a soft spot for Chelsea and says he would not have a problem working for Abramovich again. “If I had to return [to England], I would do it. Chelsea are a spectacular club and I still want them to do well. The supporters are amazing and even though things did not work out I still remember how nice the fans were to me.”
After his spell in London, Scolari, the first Brazilian to manage in England, took over Uzbekistan side Bunyodkor, returning to Brazil in 2010 to manage Palmeiras, with whom he had previously won the Copa Libertadores, South America’s top club accolade. “Big Phil” and Palmeiras parted company in September 2012 and the club were relegated to Brazil’s second division, but two months later he was announced as the Seleção’s new manager, replacing the sacked Mano Menezes.
“What happened in England was a disappointment, but my life changed for the better and I will have the honour of managing Brazil in our home World Cup,” he said. “That is an improvement.”
Scolari continues to keep a close eye on affairs at Stamford Bridge, not least because three of his first-choice players – Oscar, David Luiz and Ramires – ply their trade there. David Luiz has come in for particular attention lately because of his lack of first team appearances.
“I have spoken to David about it, but I am not worried. He is one of the best defenders in the world and [José] Mourinho is an intelligent guy. He won’t leave a player like that on the bench all the time.”
The Brazilian describes his relationship with Mourinho as “reasonably good”, but has taken issue with the Portuguese’s recent criticisms of Neymar and the Barcelona forward’s apparent diving. “Every manager likes to use the media to their own benefit. Mourinho is doing just that. He knows that Chelsea could play Barcelona in the Champions League sooner or later and he is already throwing supporters, media and referees against Neymar. It’s disappointing and Mourinho didn’t really need to resort to that. Maybe he knows that Neymar is now at the same level as Ronaldo and Messi and can really hurt his team.”
Scolari also believes England have a realistic chance of success in Rio next year. “Roy [Hodgson] is doing a great job in bringing new players to the team and is overseeing a change in generations,” he said. “England have a good team and I think they are much better technically these days.”
*http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNFLRNVaD3oRQh2-BBNLA-NIRwJ1fA&url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/nov/17/luiz-felipe-scolari-premier-league-chelsea
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