Brazil legend Phil Scolari incredibly snapped shopping and taking a holiday break… in Northern Ireland city Londonderry
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WHILST many big name players are catching flights to play their football in China, Phil Scolari headed in the other direction as he went on holiday to LONDONDERRY.
The Guangzhou Evergrande manager shocked football fans when he was spotted casually strolling through Londonderry's Ebrington Square.
The famous boss was also snapped with a bus driver as he moved around the city on public transport.
Having led his native Brazil to World Cup glory as well as managing Chelsea, many would expect Big Phil to spend his time off in a luxurious holiday resort - like ex-Man City boss Roberto Mancini.
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Still dressed in his Evergrande official clothing, the 68-year-old was spotted by a passerby who couldn't help but grab a photo.
, Scolari's son is a student at Queen's University in Belfast and is currently on a work placement in Londonderry.
Scolari was spotted taking the 212 Translink Goldline service from Londonderry into Belfast.
He was also seen drinking Guinness in the Belfast Empire Bar on Thursday night.
Zhana Nikolova, a duty manager at the Empire, grabbed a photo with Scolari when he popped in for a blues night with his family.
"We did have an initial thought of 'is it really him?' But the word spread and we realised it was him.
"He seemed to enjoy the music, had a few Guinness and was happy enjoy to get his photo taken.
"It's just hard to place someone like that in Northern Ireland. People knew it was him but were very respectful and generally left him alone."
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It is a far cry from his managerial counterpart Mancini who is enjoying a break on the stunning Caribbean island of St Barts.
The 52-year-old is currently out of work after leaving Inter Milan last August but has been linked with a number of jobs including England, Crystal Palace (before Sam Allardyce was appointed) and Marseille.