Scolari on love for Ronaldo, Chelsea trouble and turning down England

At the age of 73, Luiz Felipe Scolari is not ready to retire. His passion for football still burns too fiercely. But he is ready to reflect and 2022 is a year of happy anniversaries and happy coincidences.

It marks 40 years since the iconic ‘Big Phil’ started his coaching career, a journey which took him around the globe. It is also 20 years since his Brazil team won their most recent World Cup, beating England in the quarter-finals with that free-kick by Ronaldinho.

The goal still makes Scolari chuckle, and as he settles down to talk to Sportsmail from his home in Porto Alegre, there is a good chance two of his former clubs will meet in the FIFA Club World Cup final in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, rekindling memories of his own attempt to win the trophy.

Why did you end up leaving Chelsea?

I had a few problems with one or two players. Didier Drogba was injured and when he returned, I had a bit of difficulty organising the team with him and Nicolas Anelka. I tried to speak with the players to make them understand their positioning, but I wasn’t able to make myself understood to make them do what I needed.

So we had a few problems off the field, not on the field. Some results happened, which nobody wanted, but I left the club in good conditions in all competitions: fourth in the Premier League, qualified to the Champions League and in the FA Cup.

Unfortunately, there was this communication problem with the players. But we talked about it a few years later and it is all in order. I don’t think it deserves a lot of attention now. It’s all in the past.

Did you want to stay in England?

When I left Portugal, I was a bit afraid of English journalists because I thought they were more preoccupied with what happened outside of football,