Sports Notes - SCOLARI - NOT RONALDO - SIGNS

James Loving/National Radio Text Service

Wham, bam thank you mam Big Phil drops the bomb that it is he not Ronaldo who will make all the noise around here as he revealed to the world after Portugal's 3-1 victory over the Chez Republic that he will be leaving to manage Chelsea starting July 1.

Friday June 13, 2008

BIG PHIL'S (SCOLARI) ADVENTURE & SHOCKING TIMING

Say what!!!???

Luiz Felipe Scolari told Cristiano Ronaldo not to talk about his ongoing controversy with Manchester United and Real Madrid's efforts to steer him their way. It would be distracting to the Portugal team in their efforts to win the European Championship. Then wham, bam thank you mam Big Phil drops the bomb that it is he not Ronaldo who will make all the noise around here as he revealed to the world after Portugal's 3-1 victory over the Chez Republic that he will be leaving to manage Chelsea starting July 1.

Oh my... is this a revolting development or a blessing in disguise? Well it depends on how you slice it or dice it if you're a Portugal fan you most likely will feel that this is a revolting development and are no happy. If you're a fan of Chelsea then you are relieved that the club has signed the only candidate mentioned for the job who doesn't have to walk in the shadow of Jose Mourinho given that Big Phil has his own sterling credentials.

Scolari has to his credit leading Brazil to the World Cup title in 2002. He won the Copa Libertadores which is South America's knockout competition with Brazilian clubs Gremio and Palmeiras. As we've stated in the past Chelsea owner Roman AbRAMOvich (Ramo) isn't Rambo but with this sweet deal the 41-year-old Russian can certainly be rated in the Rambo category as he hit the big one in pulling off this agreement against some major odds.

It was only two short years ago that Scolari turned the England job down due to his concern that the English media as he so eloquently put it he was annoyed with media intrusions. But ESPN Singapore reported he will receive a $9.2 million a year contract and that can change anyone's mind to take on the English media challenge and ohhhh... manage Chelsea as well. Obviously Fear is not a factor for Big Phil.

It's a win, win for English language schools as they now have another candidate for a pupil as the 59-year-old Scolari's English is said to be nil to zero. He will follow in the footsteps of Mourinho who is adding Italian to his repertoire and Fabio Capello who is now so confident in his English skills that he addresses the media speaking the language.

For Ramo it's not that big of a bite out of his reported worth by Forbes magazine in August 2007, of $18.7 billion. To him a $27.6 million investment is pocket change. It will be interesting to see how many of the malcontent Chelsea players such as Didier Drogba will continue to look to get out of Dodge (Chelsea) now that the club has the Brazilian in their fold or will Drogba continue to seek to rejoin Mourinho at Inter Milan.

Scolari is not shy about showing his emotions. His public display of temper was in the spotlight September 12, 2007 during qualifying match for Euro 2008 against Serbia when, at the end of the game, and after the referee had blown the whistle for a 1-1 draw, Scolari, after being slapped in the hand by the Serbian player Ivica Dragutinovic, Big Phil took a poke at the Serbian player and went after him. It's time like these that Phil will have to take a chill pill. There is also a sweeter side to Scolari. He is also known to try to keep his players (and himself) free of external pressures: he usually demands a lot more freedom than most coaches are allowed and are bent on exerting a somewhat discretionary power. He has a reputation as a "father" and big friend to his players.

Given his good guy to rough and tough reputation don't look for him to back down from any superstar on Chelsea. He would probably prefer to go a few rounds and teach some respect as well as football. But hey this isn't about Ali verses Frazier it's about Chelsea acquiring a manager that could take them up a notch and finally win the Champions League although Avram Grant was just a John Terry missed penalty kick away from doing just that.

His stats shine and his intriguing personality stands on its own as well. He can't be compared to Mourinho for charm but in his own way does get the public's attention. If anything he will put some extra bite and fight into Chelsea's game.

Since the 41-year-old Abramovich took over Chelsea in 2003 Scolari will become his fourth manager. After the Russian took charge Chelsea, then managed by Claudio Ranieri, finished their first season in 2nd place in the Premiership an improvement from 4th the previous year. They also reached the semifinals of the Champions League that season. Ranieri was then replaced by Mourinho and Chelsea became league champions two consecutive seasons. In the four years since the Ambramovich takeover Chelsea has won five major trophies, more than any other English club in the same period. Much of that is due to Abramovich spending approximately £600M on the club since his arrival.