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Rediff.com  » Sports » First look: Scolari back at work

First look: Scolari back at work

July 13, 2009 13:44 IST
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Bunyodkor's manager Luiz Felipe Scolari (right) is seen giving instructions to Rivaldo during their Uzbekistan championship soccer match against Pakhtakor in Tashkent on Sunday.

ScolariThe 60-year-old World Cup winning coach agreed an 18-month contract with the Uzbek champions. 

The former Chelsea coach is looking to turn Bunyodkor, a club founded as recently as in 2005, into a major challenger at the international level.

Bunyodkor, in a short span has already secured two promotions and won the Uzbek league and Cup double last season under the stewardship of former Brazilian star Zico.

Scolari took over after Zico left for CSKA Moscow.

And Big Phil seems to have set his sight on the Asian Champions League, for a win in that competition will ensure Bunyodkor a direct entry into the World Club Cup.

"I want Bunyodkor to win all the competitions they are going to play. This is a new situation for me but Uzbek football is developing fast. Bunyodkor as a part of the country's football has performed impressively in the last four years," the Brazilian has been quoted as saying.

"That is why I accepted Bunyodkor's proposal." 

Scolari had managed to lead Brazil to World Cup glory in 2002 and took Portugal to the Euro 2004 final and Euro 2008 quarterfinals, before leaving for Stamford Bridge.

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