History will be kind to me because I intend to write it

BELLETTI: HIDDINK HAS IMPROVED CHELSEA ALREADY

Juliano Belletti has revealed that life at Chelsea is more focussed now that Guus Hiddink has taken over as manager.

The Dutchman took over from the sacked Luiz Felipe Scolari last week - and Belletti has admitted that training is already much more intense.

The 32-year-old was part of Scolari's World Cup winning Brazil squad in 2002 - but the right-back concedes that Chelsea are more likely to succeed now that his countryman has left.

"Hiddink has changed the system of training and, with respect to Scolari, from the first day he arrived we have been asked to show the same intensity in training as in the games," said the former Barcelona man.

"Hiddink talks much more with the players and has insisted we are all important to the club. He also said that there is plenty of time ahead and that we can win titles this year.

"In these early days [of Hiddink's reign] it seems more fun and fast. People have embraced change with a good heart. In the last weeks with Scolari there was too much tension in the atmosphere - this has changed now.

"I hope that our training will translate into success against our next two opponents (Aston Villa and Juventus). These two games will go a long way to determining our future.

"But I notice a confidence and belief among my team-mates."

Labels: Chelsea, Guus Hiddink, Juliano Belletti, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Premier League

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 6:29 pm | Permalink | Comments

SCOLARI FOR SAUDI ARABIA?

Luiz Felipe Scolari may only have been sacked by Chelsea on Monday, but the Brazilan is already being lined up for the Saudi Arabia national job, according to the Arabian press.

The 60-year-old, who was dismissed after only seven months at Stamford Bridge, has already managed a national team in the Middle East - he had a spell with Kuwait in 1990 - and also took charge of club sides Al Qadisiya Kuwait and Saudi side Al-Ahli (Jeddah) in the early 1990s.

On Wednesday Saudi Arabia, currently coached by Nasser Al-Johar, lost 1-0 in their World Cup qualifier with North Korea - a result that leaves them fourth in their group, Asia Two, after four games.

Rumours are circulating in the Middle East that Al-Johar will be sacked and Scolari, who won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002, will be installed as the new manager. His job will be to steer the country to South Africa 2010.

Labels: Chelsea, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Premier League

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 1:15 pm | Permalink | Comments

RUSSIANS WELCOME HIDDINK APPOINTMENT

Guus Hiddink's appointment as Chelsea coach until the end of the season has been welcomed in Russia, where he will remain in charge of the national team.

Fellow Dutchman Dick Advocaat, manager of Zenit St Petersburg and assistant coach of the Russian national team, backed the move, saying: "This is Hiddink's decision. I need to respect it and all Russian society must do the same. I think he made the right step."

Star Russian wing-back Yuri Zhirkov, of CSKA Moscow, has also given his blessing, adding: "I don't think that the national team will be harmed. Anyway, the national team and Chelsea are playing on different dates. I am sure he will manage with everything."

Zenit midfielder Igor Semshov believes that the 62-year-old will improve with his duel responsibilities, though he does not envisage Hiddink taking any Russian players to London.

He said: "I am sure of one thing - that Guus is a professional and he will give all of himself to his work. It is of no small importance that he knows us, his players, very well.

"Hiddink is very experienced. I even think that the job with Chelsea will benefit him as well. He will keep his vitality. I am not worried about him. Will he take any of us to Chelsea? I don't think he will mix the national team and the club."

Defender Vasiliy Berezuckiy added: "I don't think that Hiddink combining the two roles will affect the results of the national team. I am interested why other managers weren't allowed to combine the two roles, but Hiddink can do it. I think it will benefit Hiddink, because he will have training sessions almost everyday."

Goalkeeper Vyacheslav Malafeev is hopeful that Hiddink honours his contract with Russia, and will take the national team to the World Cup next year.

Malafeev said: "I don't think that Hiddink will leave the national team for Chelsea at the end of the season. He has a contract that is very important in this situation. We, the players, would regret it if that happens. We want him to stay.

"But if he wants [to combine the two roles], then I don't see reasons not to do it. Anyway, it is very hard to do. The one who will be harmed in this situation is the club, but not the national team. So I would keep my eye on Chelsea's performance."

Labels: Chelsea, Guus Hiddink, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Russia

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 1:15 pm | Permalink | Comments

BARNES BLASTS IMPATIENCE IN FOOTBALL

England legend John Barnes has blasted the impatient attitude of club chairmen - and believes the blueprint for a successful club is Manchester United who have stuck with Sir Alex Ferguson for 23 years.

Barnes, who won 79 Three Lions caps, is now manager of Jamaica - the country of his birth. But nine years ago he experienced the cut-throat nature of club management when he was sacked by Celtic after only six months in charge.

Barnes believes that the impatience with Premier League managers will have a knock-on effect, and filter down to the lower leagues.

He said: "You look at the dismissals of Paul Ince and Tony Adams, and it is very sad because they haven't been given enough time. It's very frustrating.

"But more frustrating for me is the fact that Luiz Felipe Scolari has been sacked. And if someone who has achieved all that he has achieved doesn't get an opportunity, what chance has a first-time manager got?

"People have to be realistic in what they expect, and as much as the sacking Paul Ince and Tony Adams is disappointing, the fact that Scolari has been dismissed just sums up for me what football is about at the moment.

"Even if you look at [Scolari's predecessor] Avram Grant, he was a penalty kick away from winning the European Cup. And they also went close to winning the league - and yet he lost his job.

"I can understand that Chelsea, and maybe even Portsmouth, need to be doing well in the Premier League. But then you look down to League Two where these teams have no money at all, and sack managers after two months. What do they expect?

"Look at Sir Alex Ferguson when he first started at Manchester United - he was given time and look what's happened. Who knows what could happen in 15 years time?"

But Barnes has backed Guus Hiddink to be a success at Stamford Bridge for the remainder of the season.

"Guus Hiddink is very strong, very organised, the players will play for him and respect him because he's a tough manager - he knows his stuff. I'm sure he will do a very good job at Chelsea because he's a good manager, a good coach and he'll get the results.

"If you don't win matches you're always under the spotlight; you could always be sacked. I'm under no illusions and I'm no different to anyone else. Everyone is under pressure to win matches whether it's Jamaica, Chelsea or someone in League One."

Labels: England, John Barnes, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Premier League, Tony Adams

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 1:13 pm | Permalink | Comments

DALLAGLIO BACKS HIDDINK APPOINTMENT

Lawrence Dallaglio believes that Luiz Felipe Scolari was right to have been sacked by Chelsea - and that Guus Hiddink should be the man who replaces him.

The England rugby legend, who hung up his boots last May, is an avid Blues fan, thought that the Brazilian should have been shown the door some time ago.

"Football is a results-driven business and the results have not been good enough," said the 36-year-old. "It is pretty clear that Scolari's methods did not suit the club week in, week out.

"I think it was pretty clear that he had lost the dressing room quite a while ago."

He continued: "Chelsea's defence has not been good since [Scolari's assistant] Steve Clarke left, while West Ham's has become decidedly improved. Clearly he added massive value to Chelsea.

"I think that Jose Mourinho is proving to be a tougher man to replace than they thought. He has gone on to Inter and he is top of the table there.

"Added to that, if Chelsea don't spend in the transfer window then they can't be expected to be a top four club any more. They have been crying out for another striker, they miss Michael Essien, and they have been found out this season."

On Scolari's successor Dallaglio added: "You need someone at Chelsea now who has a good track record and someone who can handle the players well - that is the most important thing. Someone like Hiddink would be ideal."

Labels: Chelsea, England, Lawrence Dallaglio, Luiz Felipe Scolari

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 1:07 pm | Permalink | Comments

SCOLARI'S BRAZILIAN WAY

Luiz Felipe Scolari has wasted no time in stamping his colourful personality on Chelsea, having been at the club for a mere six weeks. At Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon he takes charge of the Blues for the first time in a competitive fixture, and a 30-year-old boy from Brazil, Deco, is sure to be the heartbeat of Scolari's team, as they attempt to begin their Premier League campaign with victory over FA Cup winners Portsmouth.

Scolari, who conducted Brazil's 1994 World Cup success, insists that central midfielder Deco - the only signing hitherto made by the 59-year-old - is the key to Chelsea's domestic and global domination. The São Paulo-born naturalised Portuguese, who signed from Spanish giants Barcelona for €10m in June, was the only name on Scolari, his former national coach's wish list.

"When Chelsea contacted me, I told them: 'I want one player: Deco'," says Scolari, who explains that full-back José Bosingwa was the club's signing. "I told them that if Chelsea wanted to win, then we needed to change something; we needed Deco.

"He is one of the most crucial players in the team - Deco is the man who gives balance to the team, his technique and control is fantastic. He allows the other players more time and he dictates play.

"Deco plays differently to the others. He has time to shoot, to stop the ball, time to touch and pass. His character is different to others too. It is import for us because with him we will play better football."

In what will be music to Chelsea owner and aesthete Roman Abramovich's ears, the new manager has vowed to sprinkle some Brazilian magic on the road to glory. Scolari continued: "The idea is to play and pass as in Brazilian football. I know English football is different, but we must learn from the Brazilians how to control, touch and pass the ball."

There will even be a Brazilian touch in the dressing room, as Scolari has flown over a famous sports psychologist to help his relationship with his Chelsea players and to help calm their stress levels. Regina Brandao, who has worked with Scolari for 10 years, has already complied detailed dossiers on all squad members.

"Now that I am here in London, she has some principle ideas for the future," Scolari added. "She met the players, has lots of information, and said some words to them. If I feel it is necessary in the future, she will come again to England to help me and the players. You will see in the future how my way is at Chelsea."

Labels: Chelsea, Deco, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Portsmouth, Premier League

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 7:18 pm | Permalink | Comments

SCOLARI HOPING TO FIRE UP ANELKA

Luiz Felipe Scolari is hopeful that he can turn shy Nicolas Anelka into a goal machine for Chelsea. The Brazilian manager, who takes charge of his first game for the Blues on Sunday against Portsmouth, will make Anelka his main striker in the absence of injured Didier Drogba.

The French international, who has been in fine goal-scoring form in pre-season, cost £12m when he signed from Bolton in January, but he only scored twice in 24 appearances as the Blues came second in the Premier League and lost out in the Champions League and Carling Cup finals. But Scolari is hopeful that, with some confidence, the 29-year-old can fire Chelsea to glory.

"Maybe this is the season for Anelka," said the 59-year-old former Portgual manager. "He will be our centre-forward against Portsmouth. He has played well in the friendlies, has shown good speed and has switched position very well.

"But sometimes he is a different player - he is quiet and timid. And we need to put fire in Anelka. We need to tell him that he is very good and that he should go and try. I need to work more with him to get the best out of him. I need to help him in the head, because he has some good qualities."

Scolari, who managed his native Brazil to World Cup success in 1994, also believes that Chelsea centre-back John Terry, who led England in 14 games under Steve McClaren, should be given the nod to captain Fabio Capello's national team. The Italian is due to name his permanent skipper on Tuesday, the day before England's friendly with the Czech Republic.

"[If he were to select Terry as captain,] I would say to my friend Capello: 'Very good choice'," Scolari continued. "It would be a fantastic choice if he made John Terry captain. He is a captain for Chelsea and I think he must again captain England. He helps the manager and the players by saying the right things on and off the field."

Labels: Chelsea, John Terry, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Nicolas Anelka, Premier League

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 5:03 pm | Permalink | Comments