Are Chelsea Taking A Gamble With Scolari?

Scolari's first competitive game as Chelsea manager will be the first Premier League match of the 2008-09 season on the weekend of 16-17 August.

He is one of the world's top coaches with a record of success at country and club level. Scolari won the 2002 World Cup with Brazil and led Portugal to the final of Euro 2004, and has also won nine domestic trophies in Brazil.

He becomes the fourth manager during owner Roman Abramovich's reign following the departures of Claudio Ranieri, Jose Mourinho and Grant who only lasted eight months despite guiding Chelsea to the Champions League final for the first time.

AC Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti, new Manchester City boss Mark Hughes and former Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini had been in the running for the job but the appointment ends weeks of speculation after Grant was sacked towards the end of May.

Chelsea wanted a man of footballing stature - and perhaps even more a man of massive personality - when Avram Grant's low-key era was ended after the defeat in the Champions League final at the hands of Manchester United.

And there is no doubt the Blues have got one in the newly-appointed Luiz Felipe Scolari. 'Big Phil', who is actually not all that big in the flesh, was a World Cup winner with his native Brazil in 2002, took Portugal to the final of Euro 2004 and the semi-final of the 2006 World Cup.

And he is currently in charge of a hugely talented Portugal side that shows signs of being serious contenders to win Euro 2008.