Transfers - Gossip Shop: Deco to follow Scolari

Eurosport - Wed, 11 Feb 19:25:00 2009

The Byzantine twists of football have long stopped Gossip Shop believing the trite simplicity of cause and effect - even if they hadn't, the fall-out from Chelsea's sacking of their manager would have buried the belief once and for all.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 Premier League Chelsea Deco - 0

Roman Abramovich probably thought it would be simple, like throwing a pebble in to a pond and watching the ripples roll smoothly to the edges: fire manager, pay off his contract, find a new boss and start collecting silverware again.

For a man who survived - and thrived - in the cut-throat world of Russia's post-Soviet oil business, there should have been no surprises.

It's not working out that way. The unintended consequences of the move have turned the straightforward sacking of a football manager into a major threat to the stability of one of the world's most successful clubs.

First is the news, reported in the Express, that Scolari tried to quit Chelsea twice - including after the Southend draw, for example - but each time was persuaded to stay in the job.

As ways of blowing £7.5 million go, that has to be the best ever. Scolari has effectively picked up his pay-off for sitting out an admittedly rather uncomfortable month waiting to be fired, rather than walking out and thereby waiving his rights to compensation. It certainly dwarfs the supposed salary being offered to Guus Hiddink for a few months' work (between £1.5m and £4m, depending on who you believe).

But secondly, and potentially disastrously, one or two of Chelsea's key players seem pretty hacked off about the whole business.

John Terry and Deco are top of that list. The England skipper might have blue blood running through his veins, but he doesn't seem happy about Big Phil getting the big elbow; while Brazilian superstar Deco is reportedly furious that the World Cup-winning boss has gone, claiming that he had several other great offers on the table when he left Barca and that Scolari's presence was a determining factor in his choice.

Could those two go? Given that both were reported targets for Manchester City - especially Terry - it's very likely that Hughes will at least make a serious approach in the summer.

For Scolari, a life of pleasure and wealth awaits, and GS doubts he'll ever dirty his hands with grubby club management again - and in a few months probably look back thinking he's been treated pretty well.

Unlike Tony Adams at Portsmouth. Adding insult to the ridiculous sacking is news that it wasn't even delivered in person - unlike Scolari's, which saw Abramovich fly in personally. It turns out that Adams got the news via mobile phone while he was at the fifth birthday party of his son, Atticus.

Elsewhere in gossipland today, Manchester City teenage up-and-comer Daniel Sturridge is asking for £75,000-a-week to stay at Eastlands, a stance that has, according to the Mirror, infuriated Mark Hughes, who for all his club's wealth runs a strict wage structure for middle-ranking players.

Across Manchester, it sounds as if Owen Hargreaves's stay at Old Trafford might be drawing to an end. The former England midfielder has been left out of the club's 30-man player registration list for the rest of the season's Champions League.

Off the pitch, there's plenty of scandal brewing: Birmingham City head honcho Karen Brady has reportedly been re-arrested on tax charges; the Hall and Shepherd families have pocketed almost £150m from their time in charge of Newcastle United; and Setanata Sports are desperately looking for a way to get back some of the live football they've lost, having seen their number of matches halved in last week's rights bidding.

All of which pales into insignificance with the earth-shattering news that Danielle Lloyd has written a book detailing her alleged affairs with seemingly dozens of British footballers, not to mention assorted boxers and DJs.

The list of names and peccadilloes is far too long to print here, but we can report that the Star alleges Jermain Defoe used to enjoy wearing her bras on his head and perform naked handstands. No doubt Ms Lloyd's book will provoke a few blushes among the Premier League's finest - and offer a few creative suggestions to the rest.

Toby Keel / Eurosport

Comment 128 - 147 of 147

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  1. the team should be disbanded...and should be built on­ few dedicated and committed players... like­ lampard,terry, cech,ashley... the rest can go to hell-­ cicero mfon

    From mfon m, on Fri 13 Feb 12:02PM

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    From , on Thu 12 Feb 11:12AM

  3. so wheres deco gonna go?

    From Nath, on Thu 12 Feb 9:41AM

  4. arent you passionate no. 119?

    From areacodeboy7, on Thu 12 Feb 4:18AM

  5. go back into hibernation you chelsea lot, you have had­ your 2-3 years of fame

    From davefbolburn, on Thu 12 Feb 2:44AM

  6. the writer seems just started watching football..two­ titles doesnt make chelsea a successful club....what­ about Liverpool, ManU, Arsenal with loads of­ silverware....wake up mate and have a peek at record­ book...

    From Mannu, on Wed 11 Feb 11:16PM

  7. Chelsea are @#$% & SCott S, does S stand for­ shitbag?

    From Joanna M, on Wed 11 Feb 9:22PM

  8. stick to knitting ya silly moo

    From sergeisdiary, on Wed 11 Feb 8:03PM

  9. 124, Tony R, anything more contructive than that? I­ have to say your comment really helped the debate on­ this article there...or is it you are jealous because­ you could not think of what i said? why am i asking, i­ can imagine your next commnent: stick to knitting or­ something like that...

    From victoria.heaphy, on Wed 11 Feb 7:47PM

  10. football supporters have short memories,didn't­ chelsea beat pompey 1st game of the season 5 nil or­ something close? its not the managers these days surely­ most of the blame has to be pointed towards the­ players. man united had a baron spell'not to­ often'a few years back arsenal won it then chelsea­ twice but fergie wasn't pushed out! mangers must be­ given the chance but also have to have the dressing­ room 2,players must repect this. united this year and­ possibly next becauce there is mutual repect among the­ squad and staff and not money motivared from russia....­ sounds silly but chelsea r not out of the race but will­ need small miracles

    From James, on Wed 11 Feb 7:39PM

  11. lmao....and you think it is only those two teams­ supporters who hate chavski?.......

    From Paul, on Wed 11 Feb 7:31PM

  12. Oops previous post forget to reference Post 121­
    You're absolutely smack on the money and despite­­ being a Man U fan I couldn't agree with you more.

    From Marcus, on Wed 11 Feb 7:26PM

  13. Am sorry, was this piece written by a 9 year old?
    1 -­ "one of the world's most successful­ clubs"? Even when Mourinho was at Stanford Bridge­ Chelsea was never "one of the world's most­ successful clubs". Successful in Britain, for two­ and a half years, at the most.
    2 ~ "Brazilian­ superstar Deco"? He plays for Portugal and is, at­ best, a "sidekick star"...

    You got­ something write though - Scolari is laughing all the­ way to the bank. And if he's smart, to a golden­ retirement. No one needs another proof that Scolari is­ largely overrated.

    From Justice, on Wed 11 Feb 7:21PM

  14. As usual the Chelsea haters are out in force. They fear­ that Chelsea FC will recover from it's termporary­ problems - and I have no doubt that it will, Chelsea­ will fight back as they've done before. Chelsea­ have always shown the haters that they can overcome­ their bull@#$%.

    You haters (scouse-scum or plastic­ Mancs) why not moan about the millions of Manc City and­ it's little Arab Prince are splashing about for a­ change? Or do you just love to hate Chelsea because­ it's a London team? It's very strange­ considering that 50% of the plastic Liverpoor and­ Manure fans are from London!

    From VegPotVillan, on Wed 11 Feb 7:20PM

  15. As usual the Chelsea haters are out in force. They fear­ that Chelsea FC will recover from it's termporary­ problems - and I have no doubt that it will, Chelsea­ will fight back as they've done before. Chelsea­ have always shown the haters that they can overcome­ their bull@#$%.

    You haters (scouse-scum or plastic­ Mancs) why not moan about the millions of Manc City and­ it's little Arab Prince are splashing about for a­ change? Or do you just love to hate Chelsea because­ it's a London team? It's very strange­ considering that 50% of the plastic Liverpoor and­ Manure fans are from London!

    From VegPotVillan, on Wed 11 Feb 7:17PM

  16. You're absolutely smack on the money and despite­ being a Man U fan I couldn't agree with you more.

    From Marcus, on Wed 11 Feb 7:11PM

  17. To Ryan C comment 131,
    All you Liverpool are the­ same... rave about your so called great past... it a­ shame that people (especially Liverpool fans) forget­ how poor football was in the 70's and 80's.­
    Doesn't seem like your team has won the premier­ ship, only 4 clubs have which is why it is such an­ achievement,
    Man Utd are possibly the greatest club­ ever and that is because of their consistency in­ winning silverware, and i'm a Chelsea fan so its­ time you opened your eyes and appreciated the other­ superior clubs out there.

    From markyherbs, on Wed 11 Feb 7:04PM

  18. comment 124&121.sad chelski twats,vics made a good­ piont just cause shes a bird dont mean she dosnt know­ bout footy,so grow up.bet ur 2 gloryhunters anyway.

    From JASON P, on Wed 11 Feb 6:53PM

  19. Im a Good friend of Owen and he is concerned about his­ injury and he doesnt feel that at the moment hes kind­ of low so send your messages of support as he does­ think his Old Trafford Career has ended due to injury­ as which is a crying shame the player is class and he­ plays for the we all love the mighty Red Devils shame­ about the blues buying all the late 20's early­ 30's hasbeens

    From cricketlegend2501, on Wed 11 Feb 6:42PM

  20. cant wait to cheer when deco leaves chelsea! please go­ soon! p*** off

    From Matthew, on Wed 11 Feb 6:36PM
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