Former Brazil national team coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has revealed how clashes with Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka led to his sacking as Chelsea boss.
Scolari, 71, replaced Avram Grant in the summer of 2008 but lasted just seven months before being sacked.
And in an interview with Yellow and Green Football, ‘Big Phil’ as Scolari os fondly called detailed the problems that developed during his short stint in West London.
Asked which members of the squad in particular, the 2002 World Cup winning coach confirmed: “Anelka and Drogba.
“Our medical department thought that we should let Drogba go and recover in Cannes, in the middle of summer.
“I thought he should stay in London. I’d also like to go to Cannes in the middle of summer. I’d stay there for a month, two months, enjoying myself.”
Once Drogba did return, team-mate and new signing Anelka was the league’s top scorer with 19 goals.
“Anelka was the top scorer in the league. We had a meeting and Anelka said, ‘I only play in one position.’
“So, there was a bit of a lack of friendship, of respect, of trying to play together with Drogba.
Carlo Ancelotti later managed to convince Anelka and Drogba to play together as Chelsea won the Double in 2010.
Both forwards left Chelsea in 2012 – Anelka headed to Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua in the January and then Drogba joined him six months later after securing the Blues’ maiden Champions League crown.
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