LONDON: Chelsea sacked manager Luiz Felipe Scolari on Monday after seven months in charge, saying that results and performances "appeared to be deteriorating at a key time in the season."

A poor run of form culminating in Saturday's 0-0 home draw with Hull City has left Chelsea in fourth place, seven points behind leaders Manchester United having played a game more.

Brazilian Scolari, who led his country to victory in the 2002 World Cup and Portugal to the Euro 2004 final, took over at the start of the season after Avram Grant was sacked.