London, June 12 : Luiz Felipe Scolari was last night unveiled as Chelsea's new manager -- just two hours after leading Portugal into the Euro 2008 quarter-finals.

Brazilian Scolari, 59, has signed a four-year contract worth 6million pounds a year - and will start at Stamford Bridge on July 1 after the Euro 2008 finishes, and with a blank cheque of 100 million pounds to make Chelsea European champions.

Scolari will start by signing Portugal playmaker Deco for 10million pounds from Barcelona and he will hand a new 90,000 pounds-a-week contract to defender Ricardo Carvalho.

Chelsea's Portuguese ace said: "He is a great manager and a big personality. He's the kind of guy that players respond to and I think we can go forward with him." he Daily Express reported that Scolari was the club's first choice on May 26 - only 48 hours after the sacking of Avram Grant.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, along with advisers Frank Arnesen and Piet de Visser, were in the crowd watching last night in Geneva as Scolari's Portugal team beat the Czech Republic 3-1. They had done the deal the previous day.

A Chelsea spokesman said: "Luiz was always our first choice. Negotiations have been very easy, and it has all been done properly. Both sides, Chelsea and the Portuguese FA, felt that last night was the right time to announce the appointment."

ANI