London  - Luiz Felipe Scolari turns 60 on Sunday and is an experienced coach who has won the World Cup, but that doesn't mean he can't be surprised anymore.

The Brazilian coach acknowledged earlier this week that the force and physicality in England's Premier League is bigger than he expected when he took charge at Chelsea in summer.

"Sometimes the games are more physical than I was expecting," Scolari told Sky Sports this week.

"I think I have learnt more than I have taught my players. I have learnt a lot about English football. I am very happy here."

Chelsea are top of the table and an English title - possibly even coupled with a first ever success in the Champions League for himself and Chelsea - would be another milestone in the career of Scolari.

The multicultural squad is a whole new experience for Scolari, who earned his good reputation as a coach at Brazilian clubs and won the Copa Libertadores with Gremio and Palmeiras.

On the international side, his time as Kuwait coach ended abruptly in 1990 when Saddam Hussein's Iraq invaded the country.

A decade later, in 2001, he was appointed Brazil coach and - after being in the firing line for not picking forward Romario - led the team to its fifth and so far last World Cup title 2002.

Scolari then moved on to coach Portugal, but was denied the Euro trophy in 2004 at his team's home event by Greece. At Euro 2008, Portugal went out in the quarters.

By the time of that 3-2 defeat against Germany Scolari was already unveiled as the fourth Chelsea coach since Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich became owner in
2003 - following Claudio Ranieri, Jose Mourinho and Avram Grant.

The temperamental Scolari has brought flair to Stamford Bridge, with the News of the World daily observing that the feel-good-factor at the club has risen and that even forward Nicolas Anelka shows a rare smile.

Chelsea have dazzled with 5-0 league wins against Middlesbrough and Sunderland. They topped the Premier League heading into the weekend round in which they visit Blackburn on Scolari's birthday.

But Chelsea have also lost for the first time in 86 matches at home, 1-0 against Liverpool, and were humbled 3-1 this week by Roma in the Champions League.

Scolari was not amused by the Rome defeat and Big Phil may resort to the "winning-ugly" style - of which he was accused during his tenure as Brazil coach - for a while to restore confidence among the likes of Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack and John Terry.

After all, Scolari was a rustic defender in his active career which earned him the nickname "wooden leg." (dpa)