Scolari sacked as Chelsea manager
A statement on the club's website revealed the move had been made "to maintain a challenge for the trophies we are still competing for".
Scolari, who led Brazil to their 2002 World Cup triumph, was appointed in June as the Avram Grant's replacement.
Chelsea, fourth in the Premier League and seven points behind Manchester United, will be led by assistant Ray Wilkins on an interim basis.
"Luiz Felipe Scolari has been dismissed as manager of Chelsea Football Club with immediate effect," read the statement. "The Chelsea board would like to place on record our gratitude for his time as manager.
"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.
"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.
"The search for a new manager has already started and we hope to have someone in place as soon as possible."
A banner unfurled during Chelsea's 0-0 draw with Hull at Stamford Bridge on Saturday called for the installation of West Ham boss and former Blues favourite Gianfranco Zola as manager.
But West Ham vice chairman Asgeir Fridgeirsson told BBC Sport the club has had no contact from Chelsea regarding Zola or his assistant, former Chelsea coach, Steve Clarke.
LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI FACTFILE
1948: Born 9 November in Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul
1999: Wins Copa Libertadores for a second time - with Palmeiras
2001: Replaces Emerson Leco as Brazil coach
June 2002: Brazil win the World Cup for a fifth time
Dec 2002: Takes over as Portugal manager
2004: Portugal lose to Greece in final of Euro 2004
2006: Pulls out of the running to succeed Sven-Goran Eriksson as England manager
2006: Leads Portugal to World Cup semi-finals
1 July 2008: Takes over as manager of Chelsea
9 Feb 2009: Sacked after draw with Hull sees Chelsea slip to fourth in the Premier League
In Jose Mourinho, who was sacked in September 2007, Grant and Scolari, Chelsea have had three managers in two seasons.
Former Blues winger Pat Nevin told BBC Radio 5 Live that the Stamford Bridge outfit must take their time over appointing Scolari's successor.
"His popularity has been plummeting the past few weeks," said Nevin. "The question is, who is going to be able to do it with a squad that is clearly not strong enough.
"They've had a few changes over the past year or two. Since Jose Mourinho left it's not really been settled. This is a club that a year ago was one of the biggest in world and quite clearly it seems to have gone downhill quite quickly.
"I hope for Chelsea's sake they don't have a knee-jerk reaction and dive for the first name that comes into their mind, the first big name that becomes available.
"They need to give it an awful lot of thought and maybe consider someone that isn't the biggest name in the world."
Drogba criticises Scolari methods
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has hit out at his treatment by former boss Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Drogba claimed the Brazilian tried to split the dressing room at Stamford Bridge by blaming particular players for the club's poor results.
"When Scolari started blaming individuals, then that was bad," Drogba told The Sun.
"To name one player as to blame for what happened in a squad of 24 players is wrong."
Drogba was dropped from the Chelsea squad by Scolari after his side lost 3-0 to Manchester United at Old Trafford but the Ivory Coast captain insists he was not solely to blame for the team's loss of form.
The Blues are 10 points behind leaders United and five behind second-placed Liverpool, who beat them 2-0 at Anfield on 1 February.
There had been suggestions that some players were not happy with Scolari's management style following his dismissal, and skipper John Terry hinted that the dressing-room was divided.
Chelsea's assistant manager Ray Wilkins denied reports there was a split, but Drogba believes Scolari's methods affected morale.
"How can one player be responsible for not winning for so many weeks and losing points?" Drogba added.
"This is not an individual sport. When you win games, everyone is happy and enjoys it together. But when we lose we have to lose together, too.
"If it makes it easier for some people to make me the scapegoat, then fine. All of us were below form against Manchester United, and, sometimes, maybe the coach chooses to make an example of one player. For that game I was the player blamed."
Despite Drogba's admission that he did not always see eye-to-eye with Scolari, the forward denied he was involved in any 'player power' to force the manager out.
"If I had as much power with the owner (Roman Abramovich) as has been said, then Mourinho would still be here, no?
"I have respect for Scolari as a man and a coach but I was not involved in any discussions with the owner."
And Drogba, who has been linked with a move to join Mourinho at Inter as well as a return to former club Marseille, suggested he would be willing to sign a new deal at Stamford Bridge.
"I am happy with everyone here and want to be a Chelsea player," he added.
"I want people to stop talking about me going back to Marseille or going to Inter Milan. I want to stay until the end of my contract. I love the fans.
"My family love it here and we want to stay. There have been no talks about extending my deal but there is time for that.
"I would stay if they offered me a new deal. I know that first I need to show I am still the Didier Drogba this club knows."
Chelsea's new manager, Dutchman Guus Hiddink, has impressed Drogba since taking over at the club.
"Hiddink is working very hard with us and he is just what Chelsea need right now," said Drogba.
"I think with this coach there are a lot of good things to come.
"He will bring the tactical knowledge and we must fight for a better position, and I think we can."
Alex signs new Chelsea contract
Chelsea centre-half Alex has signed a new four-year contract that is set to keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2013.
He joins forward Salomon Kalou, who signed a three-year deal on Monday, in committing his future to the club.
The 27-year-old, who has also resumed full training following groin surgery, said: "It was easy to decide to sign and now I hope to get back playing.
"My condition now is so-so. I think in two more weeks I am 100% and can play without a problem."
The Brazilian, who made his debut for the Blues in 2007 after three years awaiting a work permit, has made 56 club appearances, scoring four goals.
Boss Carlo Ancelotti told the club website: "I am familiar with all of his fantastic qualities, so I am delighted he will be with us for another four years."
Alex and Kalou's contract extensions come at a time when the club are appealing against a Fifa transfer ban that prevents them registering new players until 2011.
The punishment was meted out after the club was found guilty of inducing Gael Kakuta to breach his contract with Lens in 2007.
Didier Drogba, Ashley Cole and John Terry have all also recently pledged their future to the Premier League outfit.
Nicolas Anelka given 18-match France suspension
Nicolas Anelka has been banned for 18 matches by the French Football Federation (FFF) over his conduct at this summer's World Cup.
Anelka, 31, was sent home from South Africa after a row with coach Raymond Domenech and, in protest, the France squad boycotted a training session.
Patrice Evra was captain of the team and has been banned for five matches for his part in the revolt.
Franck Ribery has been suspended for three and Jeremy Toulalan for one.
Eric Abidal made up the five players who were summoned to the FFF disciplinary hearing on Tuesday and he escaped punishment.
The quintet were highlighted as the key players in the embarrassing controversy which surrounded the French team at the World Cup after Anelka's outburst at Domenech saw him banished.
Evra and Ribery were summoned for not performing their duties properly as captain and vice-captain, while Toulalan was seen as the perpetrator behind a statement read out by Domenech explaining why the players had refused to train.
Abidal's offence was his refusal to play in the final group match against South Africa, which France lost 2-1.
France were also beaten 2-0 by Mexico following a goalless draw in their opening fixture against Uruguay as they produced a string of poor performances which saw them exit the competition following the group stages.
Anelka did not show up at the disciplinary hearing and his international career now appears to be all-but over.
Ribery was also an absentee but his club Bayern Munich did not allow him to attend with the Bundesliga starting its season this weekend and the German champions facing Wolfsburg in their opening game on Friday.
Evra, Toulalan and Abidal were present for a hearing which lasted four hours.
Branislav Ivanovic signs extension to Chelsea deal
Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic has signed a contract extension which is set to keep him at the club until 2016.
The 26-year-old Serbia international moved to Stamford Bridge in January 2008 for an undisclosed fee.
He has made 99 appearances for the Blues and was named in last season's PFA Premier League team of the year.
"It is good news for me, it is a very big step for me in my career and I want to try to help Chelsea win a lot more trophies," he said.
"These things take a little time but my first vision was always to stay with Chelsea.
"There were not a lot of problems because I wanted to stay, the club wanted me to stay and I want to thank everyone who helped with the deal. I am very happy with that."
During his three years at the club Ivanovic has won two FA Cups as well as last year's Premier League title, and has scored seven goals.
