Scolari tips next Chelsea coach to struggle

Former Chelsea boss Luis Felipe Scolari says it will be ‘hell’ for whoever succeeds Andre Villas-Boas as manager at Stamford Bridge.

Scolari lasted eight months at Chelsea between July 2008 and February 2009 before he was shown the door.

Villas-Boas, hired in June last year, lasted barely a month longer than his predecessor – he was dismissed following a 1-0 defeat away to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Now in charge of Brazilian side Palmeiras, 63-year-old Scolari is not surprised Villas-Boas was sacked so soon into his reign at Stamford Bridge.

The 2002 FIFA World Cup-winning coach feels his Portuguese counterpart will go on to succeed elsewhere, but expects the next man to struggle.

Scolari told reporters: “England has clubs like Arsenal, where Arsene Wenger has been for several years, yet has won only two or three championships.”

“But Chelsea’s culture is very different, but this move is strange – although it’s not so strange to me because of what I went through there.”

“Some things are known, like the relations with the chairman, who has the relationship with some players before the coach.”

“Villas-Boas was a champion and he will continue to be. He needed to replace at least seven or eight players, even since I was there, but he failed.”

“It will be hell for whoever succeeds him.”