The Brazilian coach departed the Barclays Premier League club on Monday after the Stamford Bridge hierarchy lost faith in the World Cup winner being able to deliver success.

One of Scolari's first acts as Blues boss was to try to sign Brazil forward Robinho from Real Madrid, although he was scuppered by a last-minute move by Manchester City.

And the man who got away insists his countryman should have been given more time.

"I know Scolari very well and he talks a lot with the players. I don't understand why some Chelsea players have not accepted him and that has been the key to irregular results of recent weeks," Robinho told The People.

"I did not expect the sacking of Scolari but so many unexpected things happen in English football.

"Felipe is a great coach and he showed that with Brazil and Portugal. They have not given him the necessary time at Chelsea.

"It is another club and I should not get too involved, but I think they have got it wrong."

However, Carlo Cudicini, the goalkeeper Scolari allowed to join Tottenham in last month's transfer window, believes the Brazilian was simply not suited to a high-profile job in English club football.

Scolari had been out of club management since 2001 in his roles with Brazil and Portugal, and Cudicini claims he was out of touch with the daily rigours of such a role.

"It just didn't work out," the Italian told the Sunday Times.

"I didn't say he was the wrong man the day he was appointed because I didn't know him then but now I know he was a mistake.

"He had been an international coach, not a club manager, for far too long.

"It was a different culture for him too. English football is totally different to what he knew and he found it difficult to adapt to the style and speed of the game.

"He was a very nice guy but not the right person."