|
Macau - New Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari hit back at comparisons with his flamboyant predecessor Jose Mourinho and also resisted pressure for more attacking play.
Scolari has appeared jovial and friendly in his appearances as Chelsea boss but showed flashes of his famous temper as he snapped back at the latest mention of the 'Special One.' 'My name is Luiz Felipe Scolari. I'm not Jose Mourinho. I have my own personality. I follow my way, not another way,' Scolari said.
'I don't know if Mourinho says yes or no and I say different or not. To my players and the fans, I say what all coaches say: we need to win. Only this.' The Brazilian also ducked questions about whether he would liven up Chelsea's defensive style as reportedly demanded by billionaire owner Roman Abramovich.
'I don't know. I'll answer in June 2009 (after next season),' he said, stressing that his only priority was winning matches.
'My way in Chelsea is the same as my way in my life. I want the same as I wanted in the clubs and national teams I worked with before: winning.
'This is my way. I follow this way, only this.' Coach Avram Grant, whose footballing style won few admirers, was given his marching orders in May despite only narrowly missing out on both the Champions League and Premiership titles.
And Chengdu Blades midfielder Li Tie took a dig ahead of Saturday's friendly here when he said he preferred arch-rival Manchester United's attacking play.
'I prefer the style of Manchester United. I prefer teams that attack more and I think Manchester United play that style more than Chelsea,' said the former Everton and Sheffield United man.
Scolari has regularly been compared with Mourinho, the self-styled 'Special One' who left last September as Chelsea's most decorated coach.
At his inaugural press conference, Scolari joked he was only 'special for my friends, my family and my country, not more.
'As a manager, (I'm) so-so.' The relaxed style has been at odds with his fearsome reputation, highlighted when the ex-Portugal boss punched Serbia's Ivica Dragutinovic after a touchline clash in a Euro 2008 qualifier.
Scolari also led Portugal for the infamous 2006 World Cup clash with the Netherlands, when both teams ended with nine men and 16 yellow cards were issued.
'I'm used to playing in South America. Especially against Argentinian teams, it's war,' he shrugged at the time. -- AFP
| 
