*All times CAT (GMT+2)

Football | Brazil

Luis Felipe Scolari © Action Images

Scolari back at Chelsea for Brazil friendly



Former Chelsea manager Luis Felipe Scolari will return to Stamford Bridge in March when he leads 2014 World Cup hosts Brazil in a friendly against Russia, the Premier League club said on Tuesday.

Scolari, who steered Brazil to their fifth and last world title in 2002, was appointed for a second stint in charge in November.

The 64-year-old had a short-lived spell as Chelsea manager. Appointed in June 2008 to succeed Avram Grant, Scolari was sacked in February 2009 by owner Roman Abramovich.

"The game against Russia will be very important in order to prepare Brazil's national team for the Confederations Cup in 2013 and the World Cup in 2014. Russia is a strong opponent and it is traditionally hard to play against them," Scolari said in a Chelsea statement.

"Going to London is a great joy. It will be an opportunity to thank the Chelsea's fans for the affection and the great interaction I had with them."

The friendly, on March 25, also marks a return to England for former national team manager Fabio Capello, now in charge of Russia.

The Italian quit as England manager in February last year and was named as Russia coach in July.

The Russian FA confirmed the friendly on their website.

Stamford Bridge has previously hosted four internationals but it will be the first since 1946 when England beat Switzerland 4-1.

Shop

Gerrard: My Autobiography
Steven Gerrard is a hero to millions, not only as the inspirational captain of Liverpool FC, but as a key member of the England team.
R118.00
Red: My autobiography
No player has been more synonymous with the glory years of Manchester United Football Club over the past two decades than right-back Gary Neville.
R194.00
The Professor: Arsene Wenger
Idealistic, passionate and scientific, Arsene Wenger led the modernisation of English football
R138.00
FIFA 13
All-new Attacking Intelligence infuses players with the most sophisticated artificial intelligence ever achieved
R341.95


Comments

Sports Talk



Collins Okinyo
Ethiopia are an example
Many pundits may have known Ethiopia for its prowess in athletics rather than football. Yet they...

Sunday Oliseh
South Africa's only solution
In 1996, the world was graced with the emergence of a colourful and flair-filled footballing...

Segun Odegbami
Nigeria, Tahiti played like schoolboys
I needed to watch a few games before making any analytical comments about the Confed Cup. II needed...

Richard Owubokiri
Let the dress rehearsal begin
We are hours away from the start of what will be a perfect dress rehearsal for the Brazil 2014 Fifa...

Dr Errol Sweeney
Well done PSL - thuggery must stop
The hefty bans imposed on a soccer player and the chairman of an NFD club by the Disciplinary...

Clyde Tlou
Let Ronaldo go
This soap opera of Cristiano Ronaldo wanting to leave Real Madrid is turning into a monotonous tale...