Luiz Flipe Scolari is a name that holds a high regard among the managerial elite. Having led Brazil to their 5th World Cup title in 2002 and Portugal to the final of Euro 2004 – the country’s first ever Euro final.
Felipao, as he is also called, managed to reign in a 7-month stint at Stamford Bridge after the sacking of Avram Grant in 2008. He took charge of his first match in July and by late Novermber, Chelsea were on the top of the league.
Chelsea then experienced a slump in form that saw them knocked out of the League Cup against Championship side Burnley and the Blues even lost a home league game for the first time since 2004 – in 86 games.
Speaking to Yellow and Green Football, Scolari elaborated on what he thinks led to Chelsea’s underwhelming performances and eventually his sacking. He said:
“There were injuries & problems in the team. A leadership clash with one or two players – Anelka & Drogba.”
Scolari adopted a 4-1-4-1 formation with a lone striker and the two prolific strikers were suddenly up for contention for a starting place.
Drogba suffered from an injury, which forced him to undergo surgery. During the time, Anelka established himself as top-scorer in the league.
“When he came back, I tried to adapt both to play together. Anelka was the top-scorer. I spoke to him and he said: ‘I only play in one position’. So, there was a bit of a lack of friendship, of respect, of trying to play together with Drogba.
They were both great, but someone had to do something different, to get back to help when we lost the ball. That was when it changed a bit.”
He cleared that he and Drogba have long forgotten any ill-feelings towards one another, having spoken to each other very recently.
“We’ve met since, me and Drogba – last time in 2018 Russia. We spoke openly about it. There wasn’t any Ill intention from him or Anelka. But it happened and I lost out on one of the great chances of my life.”
Speaking of the football atmosphere in English stadiums and his intention of working there, Scolari said:
“I wanted to keep working in England, I would work at any club. We went to play Portsmouth & Sunderland in stadiums that hold 20,000 people and 19,000 people are cheering for the team from their city. I think that’s beautiful, that they support their clubs and not the big clubs.”
Scolari was sacked on 9 February 2009, and former Russia manager Guus Hiddink was appointed to take charge of the team.
Hiddink led the Blues to the 2-1 FA Cup final victory over Everton, in a season that will forever be remembered for the ‘scandal of Stamford Bridge’ against Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals.