Scolari sacked as Chelsea manager

Chelsea have sensationally sacked manager Luiz Felipe Scolari.

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

World Cup winner Scolari had only been in the job since June 2008, when he became Chelsea's third boss in a year.

Chelsea are fourth in the Premier League but remain in the Champions League and FA Cup - with Ray Wilkins in charge until a successor is appointed.

"Luiz Felipe Scolari has been dismissed as manager of Chelsea Football Club with immediate effect," read the statement. "The Chelsea board would like to place on record our gratitude for his time as manager.

"Felipe has brought many positives to the club since he joined and we all feel a sense of sadness that our relationship has ended so soon.

Unfortunately the results and performances of the team appeared to be deteriorating at a key time in the season.

"In order to maintain a challenge for the trophies we are still competing for we felt the only option was to make the change now.

"The search for a new manager has already started and we hope to have someone in place as soon as possible."

Scolari won the World Cup as manager of his home country, Brazil, in 2002.

He arrived at Chelsea following a six-year spell in charge of Portugal, who he led to the final of Euro 2004 and the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup.

The 60-year-old made an impressive start but results deteriorated and of his 36 games in charge, 20 were won, five lost and 11 drawn.

Chelsea, who were unbeaten in the league at home for 86 matches until Liverpool's 1-0 win in October 2008, have lost two home league matches and drawn on five occasions this season.

Their record against the so-called big four this season is poor - they drew 1-1 at home with Manchester United and lost 3-0 away, were beaten 2-1 at home by Arsenal, and home and away by Liverpool.

Scolari's men were knocked out of the Carling Cup by Burnley on penalties and travel to Watford in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday.

The FA Cup tie at Vicarage Road is the start of a vital 11 days for Chelsea which includes a trip to Villa Park for the crucial Premier League clash with Aston Villa on 21 February, followed by the visit of Juventus to Stamford Bridge in the Champions League four days later.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has now overseen the departure of four managers since his arrival in 2003.

Claudio Ranieri was sacked in 2004, Jose Mourinho in September 2007 and Grant in May 2008.

A banner unfurled during Chelsea's 0-0 draw with Hull at Stamford Bridge on Saturday called for the return of former Blues favourites Gianfranco Zola, currently in charge at West Ham, and Roberto Di Matteo, the MK Dons boss.

Chelsea were booed off the field at the final whistle and sections of the crowd could be heard chanting "you don't know what you're doing" at Scolari.

Chelsea is a pathetic club in my opinion! you cant run after a trophy like that!! what is remaining to do is say to abramovich is: HERE TAKE IT!

Well, you need to Play football, and if you are good you win trophies. It doesnt happen like magic. OR money cant buy the trophies. there is the hard work of the team and some luck.

Chelsea contributed to the loss of Portugal in the Euro 2008 by announcing the new manager being scolari. portugal was playing well and was favorite to win. Now chelsea says he doesnt want the manager. wtf ? Even avram did a good job, finalist in champion league and 2nd in EPL is not that bad given you lost to Manchester United! Mourinho was the best, with his critics and he was just unlucky to hit Liverpool twice in champions league.

Now, who do you think will be the next manager of chelsea ? Gianfranco Zola is linked to the job as he was an ex chelsea player. Guus hiddick is also linked as he was the first choice manager in the search when avram grant was sacked in june 2008. And lastly, but not least, Avram grant is up for a return to chelsea ? which of these 3 do you think will be the next manager? or do you think of someone else taking the managerial post ?