English Premier League 2008-09

[BobHelm]

Scolari GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ray Wilkins in charge until new manager appointed.

Sky Sports News..

Guus Hiddink & Avram Grant supposedly the dream team on the new ticket (Director of Football & Coach).

[stattointhailand]

Didn't believe you .... had to check Sky & BBC

[Irish Alan]

Now that was out of the Blue...

Manager Scolari sacked by Chelsea

Luiz Felipe Scolari has been sacked as manager of Chelsea.

A statement on the club's website revealed the move had been made "to maintain a challenge for the trophies we are still competing for".

Scolari, who led Brazil to the 2002 World Cup, was appointed in June 2008 as the replacement for Avram Grant.

Chelsea, fourth in the Premier League and seven points behind Manchester United, will be led by assistant Ray Wilkins on an interim basis.

More soon.

Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport2 ... 879638.stm

Published: 2009/02/09 16:24:29 GMT

© BBC MMIX

[stattointhailand]

Guus Hiddink & Avram Grant supposedly the dream team on the new ticket (Director of Football & Coach).

I reckon it'll be Ruud Gullitt & Gianfranco Zola

[BobHelm]

Scolari, who led Brazil to the 2002 World Cup, was appointed in June 2008 as the replacement for Avram Grant.

Uum...No, wasn't that as a replacement to "The Special One"????
Grant was being touted as replacement at Portsmouth!!
Fans (according to Sky Sports) are not happy with idea of Grant...... (More than a mention of Zola )

[Irish Alan]

I thought Grant took over from Jose, then Scolari took over from Grant...

[beer monkey]

Its no surprise...I might have to get Anelka and others back in my team, sure they will be fighting back now, its going to get interesting.

[BobHelm]

AH OK you are probably correct Alan.
Bit of a problem at my age keeping up with the revolving door policy so enjoyed by Spanish clubs...

[Irish Alan]

Hiddink would be a good choice but Zola is still cutting his teeth, I think Chelsea are too big for him at this point in his coaching career.

[beer monkey]

Jose to return... :-"

[Zidane]

Bit of a surprise.I dont think many people saw it coming although Chelsea have been poor recently.
Scolaris problem was that he inherited an ageing squad.They played well,initially,but then faded as the season wore on.
Whoever takes over will have the same problem.A new manager might give them impetus for a while but I cant see this Chelsea team winning the Premiership or the Champions League.
I did think that Scolari would be given time to revamp the squad in the close season but when you take on a job like this time is one thing you dont have.You have to get instant results !
Of the names mentioned I think Hiddink would be the best choice.I cant see Rijkaard succeeding where Scolari failed and I dont think Jose will return,to be honest.
But still no word from Udon Maps "Special One",Galee.....maybe he's been lined up for a coaching post at The Bridge !

[747man]

Yeah Zidane,Galee was seen at Swampy last night, Boarding a flight to London.........Maybe

[Zidane]

Joe Kinnear,the Newcastle boss,to undergo open heart surgery.
He's done a fair job at the Toon,under difficult circumstances,and I wish him a speedy recovery.

[beer monkey]

Chelsea are on the road back....1.0 first half.

[Geordie]

Villa 0 Chelsea 1
Arsenal 0 S/land 0
Bolton 2 W Ham 1
Stoke 2 Portsmouth 2
Boro 0 Wigan 0

[stokiebaz]

bit dissapointed to only get a point after being ahead with 10 mins to go but to be honest it was a fair result..stokiebaz..

[Geordie]

Man u 2 Blackburn 1. The Mancs were made to work very hard for the victory against a very busy Blackburn side.

Did'nt see the game Baz but another precious point,it's not over yet.

I watched Villa v Chelsea & Arsenal v S/land earlier & these sides are not in the same class as the Mancs IMO.

[Zidane]

Yes,a difficult game for United but Ronaldo saved the day and another 3 points in the bag
Good win,too,for Chelsea at Villa which moves them into third spot......Arsenal,a very disappointing result.If Everton win at Newcastle they will be under a lot of pressure for even a UEFA Cup place.
Stoke....I suppose disappointing after leading but maybe a point gained in the final analysis.
Boro and WBA really struggling and Hull,Newcastle and even Spurs not looking so great so still plenty to play for.
But Man United have major problems in defence ahead of this weeks Champions League match against Inter Milan in the San Siro.Already missing Vidic (suspended) and Neville and Brown (injured) they lost Jonny Evans injured against Blackburn yesterday.They are hoping John O'Shea will be fit to play alongside Rio Ferdinand.
I remember two years ago the last time they played in the San Siro against AC Milan in the Champions League Semi-Final they had similar horrendous injury problems in defence and were forced to field a back 4 of Fletcher,Heinze,Brown and O'Shea.They lost 3-0 so lets hope history doesnt repeat itself,although I'm sure there are some amongst you who hope it does

[Galee]

They lost 3-0 so lets hope history doesnt repeat itself,although I'm sure there are some amongst you who hope it does

Not me. I like to see all the English clubs do well in Europe. Some tough matches coming up in the next few weeks. Think at least one English side will get knocked out.

[Zidane]

They lost 3-0 so lets hope history doesnt repeat itself,although I'm sure there are some amongst you who hope it does

Not me. I like to see all the English clubs do well in Europe. Some tough matches coming up in the next few weeks. Think at least one English side will get knocked out.

Same here.I always support the English club,whoever they are.In the recent Champions League Finals I've supported Arsenal against Barcelona and Liverpool against AC Milan twice ! But when United won it in 1999 I know a lot of English fans who were supporting Bayern Munich.......Germans !!!
Yes,could be dodgy for 3 of the English clubs I think.United,because of injury problems....Liverpool,a tough tie against Madrid and Arsenal who havent been that great this season.
I think Chelsea are the most likely to progress now they have an excellent new coach in Hiddink and the initial boost that will give the squad.I know poor Phil (excepting finance) wasnt given much time to deliver but I think with him still in charge Chelsea might have struggled against Juventus as well.