Coach Profile: Luiz Felipe Scolari

If he had not forged a career in football, Portugal’s Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari would probably have become a fearsome sergeant-major. ’Win or die trying’ could almost be the motto of this son of post-war Italian immigrants, whose uncompromising methods helped Brazil to secure their fifth world title in 2002.

While his father, Benjamin Scolari, originally from Venice, was one of the best defenders in Rio Grande do Sul province during the 1940s, Felipão, as he is referred to in Brazil, could never claim to have had the talent to play at the highest level. Despite a certain amount of technical ability, he was restricted to a modest career with lower league clubs (Aymore Sao Leopoldo, Caixas, Novo Hamburgo, Juventude Caxias do Sul and CSA Maceio) between 1967 and 1981.

At all of his clubs, Scolari was the natural leader and captain on account of his strong personality, infectious desire to win and keen sense of discipline. However, he had to wait until 1982 and his switch from the pitch to the dugout to make a name for himself among Brazilian football’s elite. As coach of well-respected clubs Gremio and Palmeiras, he proved his pedigree by winning the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores with the former in 1995 and then the latter four years later.

Scolari makes no bones about the fact that he feels closer to the defensive rigour of Helenio Herrera, the former Inter Milan coach he so admires, than to the typically Brazilian attacking instinct. A combination of his unfailing sense of authority, together with the success he had enjoyed as a coach, led to him being put in charge of the Seleçao on 28 June 2001, at a time when, for the first time in their history, Brazil were in danger of not qualifying for the FIFA World Cup™.

Convinced that the three coaches since Mario Zagallo had been wrong to show too much deference to the country’s star players, Scolari imposed a disciplinary code of almost military strictness. Under his stewardship, Brazil proceeded to clinch the third qualifying place, before turning up in Asia in 2002 without Romario, whom Scolari had refused to select, despite the country’s media baying for his inclusion.

Deaf to the voices of criticism, Scolari continued to do things his way. “In my career as a player and coach, I have always been a fighter. I expect both discipline and enthusiasm from my players. If I can get this message across to them, we will find the path to victory,” he announced before the finals in Korea/Japan.

His message was taken on board and a watertight defence and the electric form of Ronaldo and Rivaldo brought Brazil success. “I would ask all Brazilians to memorise carefully the images of this team winning, with tenderness, love and friendship. I’ve made my players understand that, for Brazilians, coming second is like coming last,” Scolari remarked on the night of their triumph over Germany in the Final.

His mission accomplished, Felipão placed himself on the market and waited for the offers to start coming in. In November 2002, he had no hesitation answering Portugal’s call to lead them into UEFA EURO 2004. At the tournament, in both the first match and the final, it was a touch ironic that he should come up against Greece, a team playing a brand of football even more pragmatic than his own.

As always, his inimitable style was apparent. In the 75th minute of the quarter-final against England, he did not baulk at withdrawing the iconic Luis Figo and sending on Helder Postiga, who promptly equalised eight minutes later.

Despite defeat by Greece in the final, Scolari remained in his post and Portugal qualified in fine style for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Courtesy of the most prolific attack in the European Zone (35 goals), the Lusitanians won nine of their 12 games to finish seven points ahead of Slovakia and Russia. This achievement was evaluated in typical style by Scolari, who preferred to point to the fact that his defenders conceded only five goals.

None of his opponents should be under any illusions. Scolari is not going to Germany to be an also-ran, but to defend ‘his’ title with passion and commitment.

Coaching Career

International Side:

* 1990 Kuwait
* 2001-02 Brazil
* Since 2003 Portugal

Clubs:

* 1982 CSA (BRA)
* 1982-1983 Juventude (BRA)
* 1983 Brasil de Pelotas (BRA)
* 1984-1985 Al Shabab (KSA)
* 1986 Pelotas (BRA)
* 1986-1987 Juventude (BRA)
* 1987 Gremio (BRA)
* 1988 Goias (BRA)
* 1988-1990 Al Qadsia (KUW)
* 1991 Criciuma (BRA)
* 1991 Al Ahli (KSA)
* 1992 Al Qadsia (KUW)
* 1993-1996 Gremio (BRA)
* 1997 Jubilo Iwata (JPN)
* 1997-2000 Palmeiras (BRA)
* 2000-2001 Cruzeiro (BRA)