Chelsea on Wednesday hired Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari as the English soccer team’s new manager.

Scolari will take the Chelsea job on July 1 after the end of the European Championship, the Premier League club announced on its Web site.

The announcement was made after Scolari’s side beat the Czech Republic 3-1 at Euro 2008.

He replaces Avram Grant, who left Stamford Bridge after finishing second to Manchester United in the Premier League and losing to them in the Champions League final.

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