Rebel trio got me sacked, says Scolari
FORMER Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has accused senior Blues trio Didier Drogba, Michael Ballack and Petr Cech of getting him sacked.
Scolari, a World Cup winner with Brazil, was axed in February just seven months into a lucrative three-year deal at Stamford Bridge.
The 60-year-old, now coaching in Uzbekistan, says striker Drogba, midfielder Ballack and goalkeeper Cech scuppered his tenure by continually undermining him.
“The real owners of football at the moment are the players. The coach, in most European clubs, has no strength to contradict them,” said Scolari. “The people sacked are always the coaches. The main players already know this. That was my problem at Chelsea. Drogba, Ballack and Cech did not accept my training methods or my demands.”
Scolari was fired after Chelsea’s form slipped, leaving them in danger of dropping out of the Premier League title race and the Champions League. Blues owner Roman Abramovich acted after consulting senior players, who were thought to have doubts about Scolari’s methods.
The Brazilian’s dismissal made him the fourth manager dispensed with by Abramovich, following Claudio Ranieri, Jose Mourinho and Avram Grant, and earned him a £7.5m pay-off. Russia coach Guus Hiddink replaced Scolari on a short-term deal, revitalising the team. Former AC Milan Carlo Ancelotti boss will officially take charge on Wednesday.
Scolari also warned new Real Madrid manager Manuel Pellegrini he too would be shown the door if he crossed senior players. “The problem Real Madrid have is Raul,” Scolari added. “He is still the boss in the dressing room, so woe betide anyone he doesn’t like – including the coach.”