Ramires has urged Chelsea fans to give former Blues boss Luiz Felipe Scolari a great reception on his return to Stamford Bridge next Monday.
The 64-year-old became the first World Cup winning coach to manage in the Premier League when he took charge of Chelsea in 2008.
However, Scolari was sacked after just seven months in charge and will make his first return to to the club for Brazil’s friendly with Russia next week.
Ramires told the Evening Standard: “I was surprised it didn’t work out for him at Chelsea.
“It was a premature departure after a few games. This is going to be different for him, he is returning as Brazil coach and I hope the Chelsea fans will welcome him.
“I’m sure Scolari still loves the Chelsea crowd. I’m hoping they will be there to support him as well.”
Despite his reputation suffering as Chelsea boss, Scolari is still highly revered in his homeland and Ramires has hailed the national coach, who has the total respect and admiration of the players he is now working with.
Ramires said: “He is a great coach, a winning coach. A lot of the squad were very young and were watching when he led Brazil to the fifth World Cup and, yes, we hope his experience can help bring us similar success.
“There is a lot of responsibility because if we win the World Cup for Brazil at home we will be marked forever as part of the team that brought joy to the nation. If we don’t, it could be a case of some players getting booed. We have to look at it as an exciting time but also one with great responsibility.
“I followed a lot of the games when Brazil won the World Cup with Scolari in charge. I was 15 and was understanding more about football then because I had begun playing in the soccer schools in my town.
“I have always heard great things about him and now I have had the pleasure of meeting him. He is a great person, a great manager.”
Source: Evening Standard
