The Generals in Germany
Luiz Felipe Scolari, Portugal
Meet Mr Practical.
In 2001, Brazil, for the first time ever, were in danger of not qualifying for the World Cup. The country's football authorities sent an SOS to Luiz Felipe Scolari, who took over as coach and imposed an almost military code of discipline on the Boys from Ipanema. And when Brazil did scrape through in the qualifiers, Scolari gave national icon Romario the boot. Brazil won the 2002 World Cup.
When Scolari took over as Portugal coach after that, he substituted Louis Figo, the team's resident demigod, when Portugal were trailing in the quarter final against England. The substitute, Helder Postiga, equalised.
And in the qualifiers of World Cup 2006, Portugal won nine of their 12 matches. If anyone still underestimate the maroon shirts, s/he needs a lesson n practicality.
Luiz Felipe Scolari evidently doesn't think much of Portugal's showing against Angola at Koln, Germany.
Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images