Irritated Scolari storms out of press conference

Portugal 0-0 Finland: post-match reaction

Despite his tremendous record for Portugal and successfully guiding the team to the 2008 European Championships, Luiz Filipe Scolari continues to suffer an increasingly fraught relationship with the Portuguese press.

At the post-match press conference yesterday the Brazilian lost his patience with the criticism implicit in the majority of the questions directed at him and stormed out of a press conference that was in full flow.

Luiz Felipe Scolari:
“I’m very happy. This crowd (in Porto) are spectacular. When we lost to Greece at Euro 2004 they helped us. Afterwards when we beat Latvia (World Cup Qualification) they gave us tremendous support. Tonight you all saw what they were like. The Estadio do Dragao is the best stadium we have played in over the last three years.

“Was it possible to avoid this suffering? Let me ask you: was it only England’s group that was difficult? Are Serbia, Poland, Belgium weak teams? Portugal are good, but not as good as you imagine.

“We have to keep our feet on the ground and realise that this team has only managed to regularly qualify for tournaments since 1996.”

It was at this point that Scolari blew his top in responding to the question: Was this your most difficult 90 minutes?

“Of course not. What did Finland do to win? You should ask the Finland coach this. I’ve given to Portugal what I never gave to Brazil. And I’m stupid, I’m an awful coach? Maybe either the Portuguese are too used to success or there’s some other reason (behind the constant criticism)”

At this point a visibly upset Scolari abruptly stood up and walked out of the press room.

Related: Portugal 0-0 Finland: match report
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Related: Qualification Group A – Standings / Fixtures / Results