Luiz Felipe Scolari has been appointed manager at Chelsea. He is charged with bringing success with style and excitement to the club. In spite of their achievements over the past number of years, it has not been enough for their Russian owner, Abram Abramovich. He is looking to make Chelsea the best club in the world and is demanding success at an international level and that can only mean winning the Champions League.
Managerial Changes in Premier League
Three Premier League clubs start the new season with new managers in charge. The high demands for success make football management a precarious profession as was shown by the numerous changes in management through the course of last season. In total, eight new managers were appointed during the season as clubs tried to ensure success or avoid failure. For some the change proved successful, Fulham and Wigan Athletic avoided relegation while Tottenham Hotspur won the Carling Cup, but for others it proved futile with both Derby County and Birmingham City being relegated.
Scolari at Chelsea
The highest profile managerial appointment this summer is at Chelsea where they will have their third manager in twelve months. Avram Grant who replaced Jose Mourinho in the first managerial change of last season, was replaced during the summer by the former international manager of Portugal, Luiz Felipe Scolari. Grant failed to win any trophies during his period in control, losing the Champions League Final on penalties to Manchester United, finishing second to them in the Premier League title race and losing the Carling Cup final to Tottenham Hotspur. Such is the demand for success at Stamford Bridge that that was insufficient to keep him in his post.
The appointment of Scolari was announced while he was still in charge of Portugal for the Euro2008 championship and the announcement was blamed for unsettling the team and their subsequent failure to progress beyond the first knock-out stage of the tournament.
International Managerial Experience
A vastly experienced manager, Scolari has managed teams around the world and has had two periods as an international manager. In 2001 he took over as manager of his native country, Brazil, and ensured their qualification for the final stages of the World Cup and took them on to win the competition. In 2003 he took over as manager of Portugal who were hosting Euro2004. He took them to the final but they lost to Greece. Portugal also reached the semi-final of the 2006 World Cup and at that time Scolari was approached by the English FA about replacing Sven Goran Eriksson as manager of England. Initially, he appeared to be interested in the post but the increasing media frenzy brought about a change of heart. Remaining as Portugal manager they qualified for Euro2008 and reached the quarter-finals.
New Signings
During the summer Scolari has ensured that Chelsea’s top players, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba, have remained at the club while also endeavouring to further strengthen his squad. His new players include Jose Bosingwa from FC Porto for £16.2 million and Deco from Barcelona at a cost of £8million.
Immense Task Ahead of Scolari
Scolari’s task at Chelsea is to win with style. The immediate priority will be to get the season off to a good start and maintain the club’s incredible home record, undefeated since February,2004. He aims to put immediate pressure on Manchester United and set out a marker that they Chelsea are intent on success and on toppling Sir Alex Ferguson’s side. He has taken on a demanding managerial position but is ably equipped with a highly talented squad and has all the resources available to him to ensure his mission is accomplished.
Logan Holmes - A retired Primary School Principal who enjoys writing about football, particularly Tottenham Hotspur.
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