Decorated international coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari is set to depart the freshly crowned Chinese Super League (CSL) champions after thanking Guangzhou Evergrande players and fans on Saturday for the last time.
The 68-year-old was not on the bench for the dead-rubber 2-1 home defeat to Tianjin Quanjian because of suspension, but the decorated Brazilian coach emerged onto the pitch afterwards to see his side lift the CSL trophy.
Guangzhou last month wrapped up a seventh CSL title on the bounce, with two games to spare, and Scolari told the Tianhe Stadium via microphone on Saturday: “First of all, thanks to all of you for your support and company along the way.
“Thank you Guangzhou Evergrande for bringing me to China and to Guangzhou, where I spent two-and-a-half years’ sweet time with you together.”
Turning to his triumphant squad and with a sweep of his arm, the former Brazil and Portugal national coach added: “Finally, I sincerely thank these young men in front of me, you are the best.”
Guangzhou have kept tight-lipped amid widespread Chinese media reports that Scolari had chosen not to renew his contract in southern China.
Reports say that Italian World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro could be the man to replace Scolari.
Ironically, it was Cannavaro’s Tianjin who made it a losing finish to Scolari’s reign.
The final-day victory for Tianjin, coupled with defeat for Hebei China Fortune, propelled them into a third-place CSL finish and means they will contest the AFC Champions League play-offs next season.
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