Big Phil signs

Scolari: Bridge bound

Chelsea have bagged Portugal coach Phil Scolari on a deal worth a reported five million quid a year.

In what has been the best kept secret in football, Chelsea took the unconventional approach and announced Scolari’s appointment slap bang in the middle of his Portuguese Euro 2008 campaign.

Scolari is a respected coach of excellent pedigree at the highest level, his new role as Chelsea coach will see him manage some familiar faces.

Portuguese players heard the news after the 3-1 defeat of the Czechs on Tuesday, after the initial surprise the news was welcomed by Blues defender Ricardo Carvalho.

‘He is a great manager and a big personality. He’s the kind of guy that players respond to and I think we can go forward with him,’ said Carvalho.

‘We were all shocked by the news. We heard the rumours but didn’t guess he would be going to Chelsea after the Euros.’

Big Phil will start his tenure at Stamford Bridge with Roman Abramovich’s millions to play with. Rumours of a move for Deco - out of favour at Barcelona but a revelation at Euro 2008 - would excite Chelsea fans.

One player who has Scolari’s ear is Cristiano Ronaldo, Big Phil has the personality to go toe-to-toe with Sir Alex Ferguson, he could incur the wrath of the Scot before the season starts if he can convince Ronaldo to leave the Premier League for Real Madrid.

When’s the fixture list published?

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