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LONDON - Chelsea fired manager Luiz Felipe Scolari on Monday, with the team in fourth place in the Premier League. Assistant Ray Wilkins was appointed interim manager. Scolari, a Brazilian, was hired in June, replacing Avram Grant. Chelsea hopes to announce a permanent manager as soon as possible. “Felipe has brought many positives to the club since he joined and we all feel a sense of sadness that our relationship has ended so soon,” the team said in a statement. “Unfortunately, the results and performances of the team appeared to be deteriorating at a key time in the season. “In order to maintain a challenge for the trophies we are still competing for we felt the only option was to make the change now.” Scolari guided Brazil to the World Cup title in 2002 and came to Chelsea after six years as coach of Portugal. “It was a very valuable experience,” Scolari said in a statement. “I am sorry that my time with everyone could not last longer. I wish Chelsea luck in the three competitions it is participating. I want to take the opportunity to inform that I will keep living in London.” Chelsea is seven points behind first-place Manchester United after a 0-0 tie with Hull on Saturday. The team won the league title in 2005 and 2006 under Jose Mourinho, who left in the middle of last season after falling out with Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich. Mourinho is now at Inter Milan.
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