The incompetence of Norwegian ref Tom Henning Ovrebo is far reaching...gallant Chelsea suffered defeat after he refused three blatant pen calls, and now Man Utd are suffering, too. UEFA have today turned down United's appeal for Darren Fletcher to be allowed to play in the final after he was wrongly sent off against Arsenal.
My feeling is that the decision has been made because, if he had been let off, UEFA would also have felt duty bound to let Barca's Eric Abidal off the hook.
He was also wrongly sent off - by Ovrebo - and that incompetent decision has now had implications for Fletcher as UEFA did not want to open the floodgates.
I still fancy Utd to win the CL final in Rome - 3-2, or with pens if it ends up 2-2.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
ABRAMOVICH, SCOLARI, HIDDINK, CHELSEA FUTURE, inChelsea magazine Feb 09
SOMETHING'S ROTTEN IN THE STATE OF SW6.
That is for certain after the events of the last couple of weeks.
How can a club that has aspirations to be one of the biggest in the world have a caretaker manager at the most crucial part of the season?
However talented Guus Hiddink is, the situation is farcical, a slight on the history of Chelsea FC and their loyal fans.
Put it this way...could you imagine Manchester United taking on Hiddink as a caretaker?
Of course not.
They would have told the big Dutchman: We are bigger than you, we are a huge football club...you do the job full-time if you want the job, otherwise you don't do it all.
We are doing you a favour, not the other way around as Hiddink has claimed.
And as far as I understand it, a favour means for free - not for £2.5MILLION for FOUR MONTHS' WORK!
Yet if the appointment of Hiddink as a caretaker undermines Chelsea's credibility, so does the disgraceful way they dispensed with Luiz Felipe Scolari's services.
Put simply: the man who won the highest honour in world football (the World Cup with the poorest Brazilian squad in memory) and more trophies than Hiddink could dream of was never given a chance to turn around a faltering, ageing, divided squad of players.
He never had the backing in terms of transfer money or authority to carry out his mission.
As I understand it, the Chelsea board failed him when he needed them most and it cost the club dear.
Big Phil wanted to reduce the age of the squad by bringing in the likes of Robinho, but that deal fell through.
He also wanted to weed some divisive, negative influences out of the dressing room, but again was thwarted.
And he lost his key coach - Steve Clarke - to West Ham, with the board bringing in Ray Wilkins as his replacement. Now don't get me wrong: Ray is a lovely man but, in my opinion, is not in the same league as Clarkey as a coach.
For proof look at Chelsea's results after Steve left - and West Ham's renaissance under him.
Big Phil had the carpet pulled from under him - how was he expected to turn Chelsea around when he had both hands tied behind his back? Don’t be surprised if Scolari comes back to haunt Abramovich at Manchester City – a move that would keep Robinho in Manchester and encourage other top Brazilians and Portuguese to join City instead of the Blues.
Now we get to the heart of the problem: Roman Abramovich.
The owner threw his toys out of the pram by getting rid of Big Phil: he wanted to show he was still the man in charge and the man to be reckoned with. He also wanted his man in: Hiddink, a pal.
He did not fancy the revolution Scolari outlined.
So Chelsea are left with the same problems and Hiddink at the helm.
In sacking Scolari, they have picked at the scab but not treated its underlying causes.
Yet while Roman is the problem, he is, of course, also the solution.
Without him Chelsea would not have prospered since 2003.
It is a tricky situation: if he were to walk would the club be back to the days of the last caretaker manager?
David Webb...who took over, let's not forget, after the disastrous Ian Porterfield era.
These are crucial times for Chelsea FC: the club could go one way or the other.
If it is to avoid meltdown, Roman needs to give Hiddink everything Big Phil was denied.
I have no doubt whatsoever that Guus will stay for the long-haul if he can get assurances that he will be the man in control.
That means he needs a transfer budget so he can revitalise the team - and he needs to be left alone to sort out the bad eggs, to sift them out and replace them.
Roman must let the man he entrusts as his football manager to do just that: to manage, if he wants to make up lost ground both on and off the pitch to Manchester United.
He would not have been my choice to replace Big Phil. Again, think of Man Utd. Who would you bet on being their next boss? Whoever it is should have been the man Chelsea should have approached now. My view is that the next United chief will be Jose Mourinho or Martin O’Neill – and given that Jose’s return to the Bridge was hardly feasible in February 2009, I would have gone all out to bring in O’Neill.
Peter Kenyon often bleats on about the Chelsea business model and how he plans to conquer the world with it.
But the frightening thing is that Chelsea's model of late is more Newcastle United than Manchester United!
They too have a caretaker in Joe Kinnear and owner Mike Ashley has made several poor management decisions.
Now Hiddink is here, let him at least have a proper chance at success, unlike Big Phil.
And put in motion plans for the future - a future that, unless Mourinho were to return or O’Neill brought in, would surely see the dream team of Zola and Clarkey return to the Bridge in triumph in say three to five years.
The club needs stability and diligent forward planning, not constant change and upheaval and only one man can decide whether that will happen.
It’s your call, Roman...
That is for certain after the events of the last couple of weeks.
How can a club that has aspirations to be one of the biggest in the world have a caretaker manager at the most crucial part of the season?
However talented Guus Hiddink is, the situation is farcical, a slight on the history of Chelsea FC and their loyal fans.
Put it this way...could you imagine Manchester United taking on Hiddink as a caretaker?
Of course not.
They would have told the big Dutchman: We are bigger than you, we are a huge football club...you do the job full-time if you want the job, otherwise you don't do it all.
We are doing you a favour, not the other way around as Hiddink has claimed.
And as far as I understand it, a favour means for free - not for £2.5MILLION for FOUR MONTHS' WORK!
Yet if the appointment of Hiddink as a caretaker undermines Chelsea's credibility, so does the disgraceful way they dispensed with Luiz Felipe Scolari's services.
Put simply: the man who won the highest honour in world football (the World Cup with the poorest Brazilian squad in memory) and more trophies than Hiddink could dream of was never given a chance to turn around a faltering, ageing, divided squad of players.
He never had the backing in terms of transfer money or authority to carry out his mission.
As I understand it, the Chelsea board failed him when he needed them most and it cost the club dear.
Big Phil wanted to reduce the age of the squad by bringing in the likes of Robinho, but that deal fell through.
He also wanted to weed some divisive, negative influences out of the dressing room, but again was thwarted.
And he lost his key coach - Steve Clarke - to West Ham, with the board bringing in Ray Wilkins as his replacement. Now don't get me wrong: Ray is a lovely man but, in my opinion, is not in the same league as Clarkey as a coach.
For proof look at Chelsea's results after Steve left - and West Ham's renaissance under him.
Big Phil had the carpet pulled from under him - how was he expected to turn Chelsea around when he had both hands tied behind his back? Don’t be surprised if Scolari comes back to haunt Abramovich at Manchester City – a move that would keep Robinho in Manchester and encourage other top Brazilians and Portuguese to join City instead of the Blues.
Now we get to the heart of the problem: Roman Abramovich.
The owner threw his toys out of the pram by getting rid of Big Phil: he wanted to show he was still the man in charge and the man to be reckoned with. He also wanted his man in: Hiddink, a pal.
He did not fancy the revolution Scolari outlined.
So Chelsea are left with the same problems and Hiddink at the helm.
In sacking Scolari, they have picked at the scab but not treated its underlying causes.
Yet while Roman is the problem, he is, of course, also the solution.
Without him Chelsea would not have prospered since 2003.
It is a tricky situation: if he were to walk would the club be back to the days of the last caretaker manager?
David Webb...who took over, let's not forget, after the disastrous Ian Porterfield era.
These are crucial times for Chelsea FC: the club could go one way or the other.
If it is to avoid meltdown, Roman needs to give Hiddink everything Big Phil was denied.
I have no doubt whatsoever that Guus will stay for the long-haul if he can get assurances that he will be the man in control.
That means he needs a transfer budget so he can revitalise the team - and he needs to be left alone to sort out the bad eggs, to sift them out and replace them.
Roman must let the man he entrusts as his football manager to do just that: to manage, if he wants to make up lost ground both on and off the pitch to Manchester United.
He would not have been my choice to replace Big Phil. Again, think of Man Utd. Who would you bet on being their next boss? Whoever it is should have been the man Chelsea should have approached now. My view is that the next United chief will be Jose Mourinho or Martin O’Neill – and given that Jose’s return to the Bridge was hardly feasible in February 2009, I would have gone all out to bring in O’Neill.
Peter Kenyon often bleats on about the Chelsea business model and how he plans to conquer the world with it.
But the frightening thing is that Chelsea's model of late is more Newcastle United than Manchester United!
They too have a caretaker in Joe Kinnear and owner Mike Ashley has made several poor management decisions.
Now Hiddink is here, let him at least have a proper chance at success, unlike Big Phil.
And put in motion plans for the future - a future that, unless Mourinho were to return or O’Neill brought in, would surely see the dream team of Zola and Clarkey return to the Bridge in triumph in say three to five years.
The club needs stability and diligent forward planning, not constant change and upheaval and only one man can decide whether that will happen.
It’s your call, Roman...
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
CALM DOWN DEARS! FROM CHELSEA MAG, DEC 2008
THAT WAS THE YEAR THAT WAS FOR CHELSEA FC. NOT THE BEST YEAR IN TERMS OF TROPHIES – but one of the best in terms of evolution. One of the saddest sights of 2008 for Blues fans had to be John Terry trooping up for his Champions League losing finalist’s medal after his fated penalty miss against Manchester United. But at least the Blues made it to Moscow – that in itself presents progress, yes, evolution. Let’s also remember they made it there without a manager. Okay, in figurehead terms Avram Grant was in the dressing room, but no one’s kidding themselves that he was actually responsible for the run to the final. It was the first time I personally can recall a players’ co-op – led by the formidable Terry and equally impressive Frankie Lampard – managing themselves. Big John was the boss, FL his assistant…both off and on the pitch. And they achieved something even Jose could not in getting to the CL final, didn’t they?
A word about Grant before I transgress. For all his lack of charisma and tactical nous, I did like the man. He possesses a certain humility and compassion that deserves a pat on the back. He clearly cared for the men in the team and his treatment of Frank after the tragic death of his mother was simply admirable. He is a good guy and could well do a job at somewhere like his old club Pompey – where I am far convinced of the credentials of Tony Adams to cope in the top-flight. But he just wasn’t good enough to manage a top outfit like Chelsea and I believe Roman Abramovich was spot on to dispense with his services. Especially when you consider the talent and merits of the man he brought in to replace the so-called Moderate One. Yes, Big Phil – top man and top manager. A brilliant choice. World Cup winner in 2002 with Brazil and the man who turned Portugal into serious contenders in Euro 2004 and World Cup 2006. When he arrived in Lisbon in 2003 he inherited a disheartened, demoralised squad of underachievers who had flopped a year earlier in the same World Cup he had won. When he left Portugal in 2008 a country’s football followers mourned his passing. Yes, he had done a truly wonderful job and brought through gems like Cristiano Ronaldo and Deco. The latter was probably his major legacy to the Portuguese nation. He had been forced to overcome opposition from within the camp led by the mighty Luis Figo to convince the country that Deco, a Brazilian, should be allowed to play because he had Portuguese grandparents. But Big Phil stuck to his guns and dismissed the mutiny, even warning Figo that he could quit the squad if he didn’t like the idea. This was a strong man; a man who would do things his way, a man of supreme self-belief backed up by an extraordinary record of success on different Continents. In South America, the Middle East, Japan and now Europe. And the real Christmas gift for Chelsea fans came early in 2008…on July 1, in fact, when the legend that is Big Phil Scolari walked into Stamford Bridge to work his magic. A genus yet a man with a rare humility, he is the character this club has been yearning for since it hit the heights with those two Premiership titles under Jose. Even though the reality of life at the Bridge has been slightly different than the brochure promised, he has kept his cool and not moaned – when others surely would have. Promised riches to buy whoever he wanted, the Big Man has had to make do and mend with the squad he inherited (which was admittedly a rather fine one) and one reasonably priced buy in the brilliant Deco. And wasn’t that £8million well spent? When everyone and their dog had written off the little Brazilian as yesterday’s man, he showed he has a cunning and skill in abundance. Remarkably, he has dovetailed perfectly with Frank Lampard – indeed I would contend he has been one of the reasons why Frankie boy has been enjoying his best ever season at any club and at any level. Sure, it was a big disappointment to Big Phil and Chelsea fans when another little Brazilian genius, Robinho, landed at Manchester City instead of Chelsea. It was also a loss: he would have provided another element of the unexpected and bolstered the squad considerably with his own particular brand of magic. I believe the board at the Bridge were wrong to let him slip out of their hands when it was clear he really wanted to play for Scolari. But again Big Phil didn’t moan loudly, okay, maybe, he was a little grumpy! And even when the Chelsea board warned him he wouldn’t have the fortune he had expected to spend in the January transfer window, he shrugged his shoulders and got on with the job of managing. Can you imagine the likes of Kevin Keegan doing that? Or would the Blues now be without a manager? There are genuine areas of the team that need strengthening – I am not particularly convinced by Malouda or Kalou – but you can be sure Scolari will do what’s best and bring in the right people if he gets the necessary backing. He won’t walk away: he is on a mission at the Bridge. A mission to prove he can cut it at the top in European club football, just as he did at the top in European international football with Portugal. Only a fool would bet against him accomplishing that mission – and I bet John Terry and Frankie Lampard are glad they can just concentrate on playing again now, rather than also having to manage the club they love.
As for those fans worried about Chelsea’s recent stumble (this was written after the 2-1 home loss to Arsenal), let’s bring in the catchphrase of that old rascal Michael Winner – ‘Calm down, dears!’ It is a temporary blip, nothing to panic about, let alone turn into a full-blown crisis. Scolari will deliver again – and he has already delivered. It is best to get the blip that all teams have over a season out of the way now. The team are second in the Prem, one point behind Liverpool, who never last the distance, and ahead of main rivals Man United. And that is without Drogba, Joe Cole and Carvalho. Look how Liverpool struggled against West Ham at home last night without Torres! When the big man is away they cannot cut it. So imagine how they would have been without Gerrard, too – which is what Chelsea have been like without the brilliant Michael Essien ALL SEASON.
No, calm down, dears – at least it might persuade Abramovich to spend in the January transfer window, in other words…the blip might be a blessing.
A word about Grant before I transgress. For all his lack of charisma and tactical nous, I did like the man. He possesses a certain humility and compassion that deserves a pat on the back. He clearly cared for the men in the team and his treatment of Frank after the tragic death of his mother was simply admirable. He is a good guy and could well do a job at somewhere like his old club Pompey – where I am far convinced of the credentials of Tony Adams to cope in the top-flight. But he just wasn’t good enough to manage a top outfit like Chelsea and I believe Roman Abramovich was spot on to dispense with his services. Especially when you consider the talent and merits of the man he brought in to replace the so-called Moderate One. Yes, Big Phil – top man and top manager. A brilliant choice. World Cup winner in 2002 with Brazil and the man who turned Portugal into serious contenders in Euro 2004 and World Cup 2006. When he arrived in Lisbon in 2003 he inherited a disheartened, demoralised squad of underachievers who had flopped a year earlier in the same World Cup he had won. When he left Portugal in 2008 a country’s football followers mourned his passing. Yes, he had done a truly wonderful job and brought through gems like Cristiano Ronaldo and Deco. The latter was probably his major legacy to the Portuguese nation. He had been forced to overcome opposition from within the camp led by the mighty Luis Figo to convince the country that Deco, a Brazilian, should be allowed to play because he had Portuguese grandparents. But Big Phil stuck to his guns and dismissed the mutiny, even warning Figo that he could quit the squad if he didn’t like the idea. This was a strong man; a man who would do things his way, a man of supreme self-belief backed up by an extraordinary record of success on different Continents. In South America, the Middle East, Japan and now Europe. And the real Christmas gift for Chelsea fans came early in 2008…on July 1, in fact, when the legend that is Big Phil Scolari walked into Stamford Bridge to work his magic. A genus yet a man with a rare humility, he is the character this club has been yearning for since it hit the heights with those two Premiership titles under Jose. Even though the reality of life at the Bridge has been slightly different than the brochure promised, he has kept his cool and not moaned – when others surely would have. Promised riches to buy whoever he wanted, the Big Man has had to make do and mend with the squad he inherited (which was admittedly a rather fine one) and one reasonably priced buy in the brilliant Deco. And wasn’t that £8million well spent? When everyone and their dog had written off the little Brazilian as yesterday’s man, he showed he has a cunning and skill in abundance. Remarkably, he has dovetailed perfectly with Frank Lampard – indeed I would contend he has been one of the reasons why Frankie boy has been enjoying his best ever season at any club and at any level. Sure, it was a big disappointment to Big Phil and Chelsea fans when another little Brazilian genius, Robinho, landed at Manchester City instead of Chelsea. It was also a loss: he would have provided another element of the unexpected and bolstered the squad considerably with his own particular brand of magic. I believe the board at the Bridge were wrong to let him slip out of their hands when it was clear he really wanted to play for Scolari. But again Big Phil didn’t moan loudly, okay, maybe, he was a little grumpy! And even when the Chelsea board warned him he wouldn’t have the fortune he had expected to spend in the January transfer window, he shrugged his shoulders and got on with the job of managing. Can you imagine the likes of Kevin Keegan doing that? Or would the Blues now be without a manager? There are genuine areas of the team that need strengthening – I am not particularly convinced by Malouda or Kalou – but you can be sure Scolari will do what’s best and bring in the right people if he gets the necessary backing. He won’t walk away: he is on a mission at the Bridge. A mission to prove he can cut it at the top in European club football, just as he did at the top in European international football with Portugal. Only a fool would bet against him accomplishing that mission – and I bet John Terry and Frankie Lampard are glad they can just concentrate on playing again now, rather than also having to manage the club they love.
As for those fans worried about Chelsea’s recent stumble (this was written after the 2-1 home loss to Arsenal), let’s bring in the catchphrase of that old rascal Michael Winner – ‘Calm down, dears!’ It is a temporary blip, nothing to panic about, let alone turn into a full-blown crisis. Scolari will deliver again – and he has already delivered. It is best to get the blip that all teams have over a season out of the way now. The team are second in the Prem, one point behind Liverpool, who never last the distance, and ahead of main rivals Man United. And that is without Drogba, Joe Cole and Carvalho. Look how Liverpool struggled against West Ham at home last night without Torres! When the big man is away they cannot cut it. So imagine how they would have been without Gerrard, too – which is what Chelsea have been like without the brilliant Michael Essien ALL SEASON.
No, calm down, dears – at least it might persuade Abramovich to spend in the January transfer window, in other words…the blip might be a blessing.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Mourinho and Sparky
Feel a bit sorry for Mark 'Sparky' Hughes - the old warhorse has proved himself a shrewd, resolute boss at Blackburn and for Wales, but it looks like it is all going pear shaped at Man City. It is not easy when you are a young manager trying to manage with a dark shadow looming over your shoulder...especially when that shadow is linked with brilliance and magic. Yes, Jose could be on his way back to England - two or three years earlier than we had expected. It has always been assumed he would land back on our shores when Sir Alex hung up his chewing gum for the last time in either 2010 or 2011, but there are flashing lights suggesting he is the man the United Arab Emirates based bosses of City may admire. Would Jose come? Well, would you change jobs for £15million a year? Especially as Italy now does not seem quiet so sparkling a place now those bad boys of the Press are ganging up on him over there. It will certainly be good to see the special one back in business...football in England hasn't had the same mischievous sparkle since he went away. But it would be sad to see Sparky'd caeer derailed - however temporary that would turn out to be.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Luiz Felipe - the man behind the mask
From InChelsea Nov 08...
TOP OF THE LEAGUE AND TOP OF THEIR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE group - and playing a more exciting brand of football than has been seen at the Bridge since the early days of Mourinho. Not a bad start for the big man from Brazil, hey?
And to think there were those who questioned the wisdom of bringing in Luiz Felipe Scolari on account of him never having managed a club side in Europe before.
They conveniently forgot he had worked all over the world as a club and international manager and had won trophies in his homeland, Kuwait and, of course, the World Cup as Brazil boss in Japan in 2002.
Along with Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger he is one of the three top managers in the Premiership and, I would contend, the world as it is difficult to come up with better names than that trio wherever you travel on this planet of ours.
Scolari has done so well with the players at his disposal. When Mourinho arrived he seemed intent on playing with flair and attacking adventure - as exemplified by the flying wingers (Arjen Robben and Shaun Wright-Phillips) he brought in.
Then the pragmatic side of the man weighed in and he seemed to decide results mattered above all else.
An undeniably brilliant manager nonetheless but at the end of his time at Chelsea his team’s solid, ‘no one shall pass’ style wasn't as exciting to watch as his biggest rivals Man United or Arsenal.
That would contribute to his downfall at the club as Roman Abramovich stressed time and time again to him that he wanted to win with style.
Scolari, who officially joined Chelsea on July 1, has managed to achieve what Jose couldn't sustain - and in just three months.
He is winning but winning with tactics that have brought a smile to the faces of both the owner and the fans.
It also strikes me how very likeable a man Big Phil is.
Prior to his arrival we were swamped with scare stories in the Press and on the internet suggesting he would be lucky to last the season given his alleged propensity to aggression and a totally maverick attitude. That image was fostered by the tales of him telling his players to cheat - by fouling and kicking the ball away to waste time - when he was boss of Gremio and Palmeiras in Brazil.
And then there was the well documented left hook he landed on the face of Ivica Dragutinovic just over a year ago. Big Phil reacted when he and the player exchanged words following Portugal's 1-1 draw with Serbia in a Euro 2008 qualifier.
The 'punch' was actually a half-hearted graze but the Press went to town.
So when it was announced Scolari was on his way to Chelsea fears were voiced that he would fall foul of the FA - that he would be in hot water that could see him banned or forced out if he allowed his temper to get the better of him.
The reality, as is so often the case in football, has proved dramatically different to the myths.
Big Phil has proved himself a mature, strong, measured character - a man who respects others and who deserves our respect.
This man is no nutter brought in on a whim: he has shown himself to have the gravitas of Wenger and Ferguson and the same skills as a manager of the highest esteem.
He is charm personified at the club - whether it be with the cleaners or the suits - and has endeared himself to Chelsea FC and the English footballing world.
He is no show off or big mouth. When his work is done he humbly returns to his Surrey home and spends time with his wife Olga.
He is a family man and a fine footballing man.
Humility was hardly the word I expected to use in connection with Big Phil, but that is one of his key assets, perhaps the key one.
It enables him to keep things in perspective and to not get carried away. He has no sense of self-importance; he is merely another worker at Chelsea FC. He knows he is privileged to work at the Bridge, that he has hit the jackpot in terms of the players he inherited, the facilities and the money available for transfers.
And he has got Chelsea playing attractive football with the same players who served under Jose and Avram Grant - plus the two men he has brought in, Deco and Mineiro.
The jury is out on the Brazilian player, but Deco was an inspired buy, taking the team to another level until injury struck.
Scolari has also revitalised Nicolas Anelka by spending time with the Frenchman and trying to build up his fragile self belief and self esteem.
Many people were shocked to learn that the man labelled 'Le Sulk' at previous clubs is actually not suffering from arrogance but confidence in himself.
Full marks to Big Phil for understanding the truth of it with Anelka and working with him. It certainly paid a dividend given Didier Drogba's early season absence from injury. Chelsea may have suffered from a lack of a goal threat when the Ivory Coast man was out, but a recharged Anelka helped them over that potentially tricky spell.
With full-backs Jose Boswinga and Ashley Cole encouraged to charge forward and Frank Lampard hitting the form of his life the Big Phil machine is conquering everything placed before it.
The only worry is that the squad seems lacking numbers. Sure, there is strength in depth if a man gets injured, but if his replacement also is sidelined then Felipe could have problems. But I have heard he is planning for that eventuality – he aims to make a couple of major signings when the transfer window opens in January.
You know, if he can beef up his squad then, I wouldn't be at all surprised if Scolari confirms his worth by lifting the Champions League come May next year. This man is a winner and Chelsea are fortunate to have him for what will surely be the best years of an already glittering career.
TOP OF THE LEAGUE AND TOP OF THEIR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE group - and playing a more exciting brand of football than has been seen at the Bridge since the early days of Mourinho. Not a bad start for the big man from Brazil, hey?
And to think there were those who questioned the wisdom of bringing in Luiz Felipe Scolari on account of him never having managed a club side in Europe before.
They conveniently forgot he had worked all over the world as a club and international manager and had won trophies in his homeland, Kuwait and, of course, the World Cup as Brazil boss in Japan in 2002.
Along with Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger he is one of the three top managers in the Premiership and, I would contend, the world as it is difficult to come up with better names than that trio wherever you travel on this planet of ours.
Scolari has done so well with the players at his disposal. When Mourinho arrived he seemed intent on playing with flair and attacking adventure - as exemplified by the flying wingers (Arjen Robben and Shaun Wright-Phillips) he brought in.
Then the pragmatic side of the man weighed in and he seemed to decide results mattered above all else.
An undeniably brilliant manager nonetheless but at the end of his time at Chelsea his team’s solid, ‘no one shall pass’ style wasn't as exciting to watch as his biggest rivals Man United or Arsenal.
That would contribute to his downfall at the club as Roman Abramovich stressed time and time again to him that he wanted to win with style.
Scolari, who officially joined Chelsea on July 1, has managed to achieve what Jose couldn't sustain - and in just three months.
He is winning but winning with tactics that have brought a smile to the faces of both the owner and the fans.
It also strikes me how very likeable a man Big Phil is.
Prior to his arrival we were swamped with scare stories in the Press and on the internet suggesting he would be lucky to last the season given his alleged propensity to aggression and a totally maverick attitude. That image was fostered by the tales of him telling his players to cheat - by fouling and kicking the ball away to waste time - when he was boss of Gremio and Palmeiras in Brazil.
And then there was the well documented left hook he landed on the face of Ivica Dragutinovic just over a year ago. Big Phil reacted when he and the player exchanged words following Portugal's 1-1 draw with Serbia in a Euro 2008 qualifier.
The 'punch' was actually a half-hearted graze but the Press went to town.
So when it was announced Scolari was on his way to Chelsea fears were voiced that he would fall foul of the FA - that he would be in hot water that could see him banned or forced out if he allowed his temper to get the better of him.
The reality, as is so often the case in football, has proved dramatically different to the myths.
Big Phil has proved himself a mature, strong, measured character - a man who respects others and who deserves our respect.
This man is no nutter brought in on a whim: he has shown himself to have the gravitas of Wenger and Ferguson and the same skills as a manager of the highest esteem.
He is charm personified at the club - whether it be with the cleaners or the suits - and has endeared himself to Chelsea FC and the English footballing world.
He is no show off or big mouth. When his work is done he humbly returns to his Surrey home and spends time with his wife Olga.
He is a family man and a fine footballing man.
Humility was hardly the word I expected to use in connection with Big Phil, but that is one of his key assets, perhaps the key one.
It enables him to keep things in perspective and to not get carried away. He has no sense of self-importance; he is merely another worker at Chelsea FC. He knows he is privileged to work at the Bridge, that he has hit the jackpot in terms of the players he inherited, the facilities and the money available for transfers.
And he has got Chelsea playing attractive football with the same players who served under Jose and Avram Grant - plus the two men he has brought in, Deco and Mineiro.
The jury is out on the Brazilian player, but Deco was an inspired buy, taking the team to another level until injury struck.
Scolari has also revitalised Nicolas Anelka by spending time with the Frenchman and trying to build up his fragile self belief and self esteem.
Many people were shocked to learn that the man labelled 'Le Sulk' at previous clubs is actually not suffering from arrogance but confidence in himself.
Full marks to Big Phil for understanding the truth of it with Anelka and working with him. It certainly paid a dividend given Didier Drogba's early season absence from injury. Chelsea may have suffered from a lack of a goal threat when the Ivory Coast man was out, but a recharged Anelka helped them over that potentially tricky spell.
With full-backs Jose Boswinga and Ashley Cole encouraged to charge forward and Frank Lampard hitting the form of his life the Big Phil machine is conquering everything placed before it.
The only worry is that the squad seems lacking numbers. Sure, there is strength in depth if a man gets injured, but if his replacement also is sidelined then Felipe could have problems. But I have heard he is planning for that eventuality – he aims to make a couple of major signings when the transfer window opens in January.
You know, if he can beef up his squad then, I wouldn't be at all surprised if Scolari confirms his worth by lifting the Champions League come May next year. This man is a winner and Chelsea are fortunate to have him for what will surely be the best years of an already glittering career.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
www.redhetvoetbal.net
A site well worth a look. Gives you an idea of what is happening football-wise on the continent and an introduction to one of the top football writers there - one of the good guys, step forward Raf Willems in Antwerp. Raf is an independent sportswriter/author & campaigner (football & good causes) in the Low Countries. He has written more than 15 books about the (social) history of football & one of them is named: Manchester United, rebels & betoverend. (Manchester United, glamorous rebels). Keep up the good work, Raf...all the best.
Marcos
Marcos, hello there - great to hear from you mate. Hope all is well down in sunny old Brighton. Thanks for the kind words. I think Chelsea are on target for winning at least the Prem and possibly the Champions League with Big Phil at the helm. The man is a proven World Class talent, up there along with Ferguson, Wenger and Mourinho as one of the best four club managers in the world game right now. My only reservation is if he does not get the cash backing from Roman Abramoovich in the January transfer window. He has shown he can do the business with the players he inherited but has only had the readies to splash out on Deco so far (yes, I know Deco has been a bit off colour of late, but he is recovering from injury and remember his brilliance at the start of the season: the link-up he has with Frank Lampard, which everyone says would flop, has been one of the highlights of the season). The Chelsea squad is top class but needs reinforcements in a couple of areas - in particular I am still not convinced by Malouda and Kalou. I know Big Phil wants to bring in a couple of men to strengthen the squad in those areas - he needs financial backing to do so.
Bad result in Rome - but not the end of the world. The only real thing to come from that match was that the Champions League final should not be played there. The city doesn't deserve it while trouble continues to flare outside the Olympic Stadium, caused by some of the locals. There was aggro again when Chelsea played there (on the back of that dished out when Man United visited last year) and the continued failure to control the troublemakers means the city should forfeit he right to host the CL Final in my eyes. If it was a stadium in England and English fans had caused the trouble, you can be sure the final would already have been taken away and given to another country.
Bad result in Rome - but not the end of the world. The only real thing to come from that match was that the Champions League final should not be played there. The city doesn't deserve it while trouble continues to flare outside the Olympic Stadium, caused by some of the locals. There was aggro again when Chelsea played there (on the back of that dished out when Man United visited last year) and the continued failure to control the troublemakers means the city should forfeit he right to host the CL Final in my eyes. If it was a stadium in England and English fans had caused the trouble, you can be sure the final would already have been taken away and given to another country.
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