THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
LONDON — Former Chelsea captain Ray Wilkins returned Thursday as assistant coach to Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Wilkins, who joined Chelsea as an apprentice in 1973 and scored 34 goals in 198 appearances, fills the void at the Premier League club left by Steve Clarke’s departure Monday to West Ham.
The 51-year-old Wilkins said he was “thrilled” to be offered the position, adding he had been struggling to return to coaching since losing his job with the England under-21 squad last year.
“Unfortunately I have not been able to get through a door,” Wilkins said. “Football now is almost like a closed shop so anyone who is out of the game is finding it nearly impossible to get back in, me included.”
Chelsea tops the Premier League on goal difference after four matches.
“They are playing with a freedom but have still been so solid at the back defensively, that has been so impressive,” Wilkins said. “Plus there is the artistry of Deco who has been (Gianfranco) Zola-esque with some of his passing and creativity. That has been a highlight for me.
“Frank (Lampard) has been scoring goals again and it is just as important to re-sign players you’ve got in your club as bring in new players.”
The former midfielder first came back to Chelsea in 1998, working as a coach under Gianluca Vialli for two years with the Blues winning the FA Cup in 1999. Only defender John Terry and goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini are still at Stamford Bridge from that era.
“I was on the pitch a lot more as a coach when I was with Luca,” Wilkins said. “I will probably be helping Felipe more with background work, preparing team talks … preparing those on set-pieces, how the opposition play.”
Wilkins links up with assistant first team coach Flavio Teixeira and fitness coach Darlan Schneider.
Wilkins, who made 83 appearances for England, won just one major domestic honour in his playing career — the 1983 FA Cup with Manchester United, which he joined from Chelsea in 1979.
Wilkins, who also had spells on the continent with AC Milan and Paris St. Germain, began a short-lived managerial career in 1994 at Queens Park Rangers. He took charge at Fulham in 1997, but only lasted a season.