Soccer

Dunga lends his support to 'Big Phil'

Brazil coach Dunga believes Luiz Felipe Scolari was not given enough time at Chelsea

Mon Feb 09 2009 - 00:00

Brazil coach Dunga believes Luiz Felipe Scolari was not given enough time at Chelsea. Scolari was sacked by Chelsea earlier today after little over seven months in charge at Stamford Bridge.

The World Cup-winning coach paid the price for Chelsea’s poor run of form of late which culminated in a goalies draw against Hull at the weekend.

However, Dunga believes Chelsea have been too hasty in swinging the axe.

“In football you need quality and Scolari is an established trainer despite the fact that he was sacked today,” he said about his compatriot. “There’s no doubt about his skills, he’s a world champion and so you cannot doubt that.

READ MORE

“(Manchester United coach) Alex Ferguson is unique, he is the only one who has been in charge for many years. European football and Brazilian football trainers have not enough time to train and to get to know each other, so it’s difficult. It’s a question of time.”

Dunga himself is no stranger to pressure and has been under fire for many months now due to Brazil’s stumbling World Cup qualifying campaign.

And the 45-year-old admits to feeling the heat.

“Every job has its difficulties, its pressure,” he said. “The pressure is huge on a coach because football is under scrutiny the whole time. A coach has to have time to get to know football players in order to take the best out of them.”

Dunga is in London with his Brazil squad as they prepare for a mouthwatering international against Italy at the Emirates Stadium tomorrow.

The clash sees two of the best sides in the world face up to each other as the current world champions take to the pitch against five-time world champions Brazil, the most successful international side.

The match may be just a friendly but both sides will be desperate for victory.

“Both teams will play to win,” said Dunga. “Friendly games are very important. “There will be much attention on this game, but it will not be like a qualifier for the World Cup.

“Without three points at stake there will be a different atmosphere, but it is still important. With qualifiers there is a different pressure on the game.”