The biggest question is not Big Phil’s management of Abramovich or Arnesen or even whether Chelsea becomes a version of Bolton on the Thames. Daunting themes to contemplate, no doubt. It has to do with seemingly the simplest relationship which in actuality is the most complex task. Can you go unscathed in the largest media circus? The unrelenting on crack fish eye world of British tabloids? Even media savvy Jose Mourinho was upended by the constant scrutiny. Even if he had wanted otherwise, the media had internalized his fractured relationship with Abramovich. It made for great theater. Reconciliation was out of the question.
Scolari has so far managed to escape the public limelight in his club management. He has been peripatetic, managing 17 clubs in double quick time, most of them operating in a minuscule media market with limited global appeal. The perfect antidote to escaping scrutiny of your personal vagaries. It was his success with Gremio and Palmeiras, the two big Brazilian clubs that propelled him to the national stage.
Most of Big Phil’s transgressions are known through managing Brazil and Portugal. His commitment to his players was unquestioned even though his temperament on the field was. Much of it was overlooked because of his success with these teams. But the Premiership is one of the most claustrophobic leagues. It packs the most games and commands the largest fees and salaries for big time players. It also has the largest fan following and bandwidth devoted to it. Big Phil also comes at a time when many pundits are bemoaning the dearth of English players and managers in the top flight. And if Cristiano Ronaldo cools off, the tabloids will be screaming that Scolari is practicing the dark arts from the sidelines. It is a giant fishbowl and one does not know whether a manager such as Scolari accustomed to his space would be able to take it or even tolerate it.