Big Phil eyed as Mancini waits

Chelsea are interested in Luiz Filipe Scolari, while Roberto Mancini says the Blues need to make the first move if they want him.

Speculation is starting to hot up over who will become the next Chelsea boss and Scolari has emerged as a strong candidate after the Portuguese FA confirmed that Roman Abramovich is keen on their coach.

"I already know that Chelsea are interested in Scolari," Portuguese Football Federation's vice-president Amandio De Carvalho confirmed when quizzed about the link.

Meanwhile, Mancini is thought to be keen on the position but has told Chelsea they will have to give him a call if they want him to replace Avram Grant.

"As of now there is no contact with Chelsea," said Mancini's advisor, Maurizio de Giorgis. "Roberto Mancini is not a person or coach who likes to propose himself to a club, he waits for a club to look after him so we are in that position right now. We are not proposing Mancini to any club."

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti is also said to be high on Abramovich's list of possibles and reports in Italy claim that the Russian has already spoken to his advisors about a possible move.