BRAZIL World Cup winning manager, Phil Scolari has sent sporting hearts racing after he was seen strolling through Belfast and Derry.
Football fans couldn’t believe their eyes as they saw the former Chelsea manager, Luiz Felipe Scolari walking through Derry’s Ebrington Square and later at the Europa Bus Station in Belfast.
One of the most celebrated figures in world soccer, Scolari – known to fans simply as “Big Phil” – was in Northern Ireland to visit his son who is a student at Queen’s and is doing a work placement in Derry.
In 2002, Scolari attained legendary status when he led his native Brazil to World Cup glory in Korea/Japan. After taking over the national team when it was in danger of failing to qualify for the 2002 finals, Scolari took them to their fifth title with victory over Germany.
Currently in charge of Chinese club, Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao, Scolari has managed some of the biggest names in world football including the great Ronaldo and Brazil’s Ronaldinho among many others.
Ethan M Barr posted on Facebook: “Big Phil Scolari. The man whose managed Brazil to be World Cup winners. In Derry’s Richmond Centre.”
Belfast based Manchester United fan, Dylan J Burke couldn’t believe his eyes when he realised he was sitting beside the great man on the 212 Goldline service from Derry to the Europa bus station on Monday.
Mr Burke told the Irish News: “I saw him and I thought, that couldn’t really be him but then I saw the crest of his current club on his top and I spoke to him. He was very nice and down to earth.”
Scolari even posed for a picture with Mr Burke when the bus reached Belfast.
“I can’t believe I met the great Luiz Felipe Scolari. What a start to 2017,” he said.
