Here's why former Chelsea boss '˜Big Phil' Scolari was in Londonderry

World Cup winning coach and former Chelsea F.C. bos, 'Big' Phil Scolari pictured with Dylan J. Burke after catching the 212 from Derry to Belfast on Monday. (Photo: Dylan J. Burke)

The 68 year-old, who led Brazil to World Cup glory in Korea/Japan in 2002, was visiting his son who is works in the city, according to a source.

The source said Mr. Scolari’s son is a student at Queen’s University, Belfast and is currently on work placement in Londonderry.

Scolari, who is better known as ‘Big Phil’, was spotted on the 212 Translink Goldline service from the bus station in Foyle Street to the Europa bus station in Belfast on Monday.

Dylan J. Burke, who sat next to Mr. Scolari on the bus, said via his Facebook page: “Okay, I swear this is happening - this man sitting beside me on the bus is former World Cup winning manager Luiz Felipe Scolari! - I spoke to him, it’s definitely him,” said Dylan.

After the bus pulled into the Europa bus station and passengers began to disembark, Dylan seized his chance to have a photo taken with ‘Big Phil’.

“I can’t believe I met the great Luiz Felipe Scolari - what a start to 2017,” added Dylan.

Mr. Scolari is the current manager of Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao F.C. in China which includes former Tottenham Hotspur player and Brazilian international, Paulinho.

Did you run into ‘Big Phil’ Scolari when he was in Northern Ireland? Email your photos by clicking this link.