Scolari backs Rafa's facts against Fergie

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/chelsea/4399187/Chelsea-manager-Luiz-Felipe-Scolari-backs-Rafael-Benitezs-rant-at-Sir-Alex-Ferguson.html

The Brazilian insists he has some sympathy with Benitez as the two clubs prepare for their crucial Premier League showdown at Anfield this weekend, where a draw would give United a clear edge in the title race.

Benitez accused Ferguson and his staff of putting referees under pressure, especially at Old Trafford, and of consistently showing them little respect. And Scolari says he can understand the reasons behind Benitez's controversial rant.

"It's one of his ideas and I haven't spoken to him about it," he said. "Maybe I will at the weekend. I understand. I understand very well.

"I understand that, sometimes, when we play there [at Old Trafford] and at Stamford Bridge, I know what happens."

Liverpool have drawn four out of their last five home games in the league but Scolari is reticent to boast that it is the perfect time to play them.

Benitez is under pressure as his contract dispute continues while he has also been criticised for his handling of striker Robbie Keane. But while Scolari accepts the Spaniard has problems, he still expects a difficult game.

"He may have more problems at the moment, but if you work in the same place for three years or so, you know how to react to that," Scolari continued.

"I don't know what's happened there. I don't know what's happened with Benitez. I know when we've drawn or lost at home, we've needed to change something but I don't know what's happened there.

"Benitez is a fantastic coach with good players. We'll need more 'adaptation' than in the other games for this match.

"I think about my job, not his. I've lost 14 points at Stamford Bridge and I'm not a bad coach because of that.

"I like Benitez so much and I wish for him all the best. Not in our game, sure, but all the best in his life, in the rest of his career.

"He's a very good coach who knows the Premier League more than me because he's been here four or five years."

Chelsea have yet to beat any of the other recognised members of the 'big four' this season but Scolari is unconcerned.

He insists his side have a psychological edge after their victory over Middlesbrough in midweek lifted them above Liverpool into second place on goal difference.

"We started the Middlesbrough game under pressure because we were in fourth position," said Scolari.

"(Aston) Villa had won and the other teams were in front of us. For confidence it's very good, but we know we are behind Manchester United and level with Liverpool.

"We are not better than these two teams. But, for confidence, it's very good. We've played better in the last four or five games."


This guy is a very, very good man. I seriously hope that when we win the title they come second above ManUre - purely for the fact that they have a manager with alot of integrity.

I've always liked Scolari.
I hope Chelsea keep him, instead of firing him if he doesn't win anything because he seems a lot more of a mutual respect kinda guy than Ferguson or Mourinho.

And his interviews are quite funny.

Is right - can see the tide turning after the manc mafias predictable ridiculing of Rafa,also Tony Mowbray's  statement about refs being too pally with manUre following the West Brom game when Robinson was sent off on a straight red which was later rescinded,the manUre bullshit is a thing of the past thanks to Rafa!

Top man Big Phil

Glad he's backed Rafa up.

Brilliant. Finally people are speaking up about Fergie and Manchester United in general.

More people need to speak out, managers should come out verbally and support Rafa, not just sit there and nod their heads in agreement. 

Fergie must be annoyed at scolari now...Finally more than 2 clubs don't like man u

Fergie must be annoyed at scolari now...Finally more than 2 clubs don't like man u

Who cares if he is annoyed. We need more managers to come out and speak out.

I liked reading what he has said about Rafa, and its nice to read things like that.

Really good to read that.

Now let's do them on Sunday.

Top man Scolari. I said this before and after the previous fixture.

United have no class. Pisses me off because everyone is going on about Benitez going crazy but he's F***ing right.

Top man Scolari, obviously a man of integrity, he deserves to be at a proper club instead of the chavs, for as sure as eggs is eggs he will be sacked if they don't win anything this year.

Top man Scolari.

Now that he has had is say, hopefully Ars-end then Martin O'Neill come out and agree and it has a snow ball effect on all the other Managers.

The press might actually start to believe Rafa was telling the truth and Fergie might start to feel like his whole world is crumbling around him and hopefully his title aspirations as well  .

I guess the ref bully has been found out.

I like Big Phil, more than any other Prem. manager barring Rafa. He has respect for everyone, incuding his rivals. I sincerely hope they do well under him, just not better than us.