Sport

Chelsea manager given the boot

Chelsea have sacked Brazilian manager Luiz Felipe Scolari.

After serving just seven months of his three year contract, Chelsea's website revealed that the decision had been made to axe Scolari "to maintain a challenge for the trophies we are still competing for".

Scolari, who led Brazil to World Cup victory in 2002, made an impressive start at Chelsea but results gradually deteriorated and of his 36 games in charge, 20 were won, five lost and 11 drawn.

The 60-year-old manager had signed a three-year deal when he joined the London club and could now receive a hefty compensation pay-out over the incident.

Scolari said: "I am thankful for the opportunity to have worked for Chelsea and in English football.

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"It was a very valuable experience. I am sorry that my time with everyone could not last longer. I wish Chelsea luck in the three competitions they are participating in.

"I want to take the opportunity to inform that I will keep living in London. I will respond to the media soon."

The blues are currently fourth in the Premier League but remain in the Champions League and FA Cup, with Ray Wilkins in charge until a successor is appointed.

Scolari is one of the many managerial casualties of the Premiere League, being sacked on the same day that Tony Adams was relieved from his role as Portsmouth manager.