Didier Drogba has hit out at former Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari, claiming the Brazilian tried to split the dressing room at Stamford Bridge by blaming particular players for the club's poor results.
The 30-year-old has been much criticised for his poor form this season, and Scolari questioned his commitment shortly before his dismissal last week.
Scolari infamously used Drogba as a scapegoat after his side lost 3-0 to Manchester United at Old Trafford but the Ivory Coast captain insists he was not solely to blame for the team's loss of form.
"When Scolari started blaming individuals, then that was bad," Drogba told The Sun.
"To name one player as to blame for what happened in a squad of 24 players is wrong."
"I was shocked he said that. How can one player be responsible for not winning for so many weeks and losing points?
"This is not an individual sport. When you win games everyone is happy and enjoys it together. But when we lose we have to lose together too.
"If it makes it easier for some people to make me the scapegoat, then fine. All of us were below form against Manchester United, and, sometimes, maybe the coach chooses to make an example of one player. For that game I was the player blamed."
Despite Drogba's admission that he did not always see eye-to-eye with his former boss, the striker denied he played a role in the Scolari's dismissal.
"I have respect for Scolari as a man and a coach but I was not involved in any discussions with the owner (Roman Abramovich).
"If I had as much power with the owner as has been said, then (José) Mourinho would still be here."
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The 30-year-old has been much criticised for his poor form this season, and Scolari questioned his commitment shortly before his dismissal last week.
Scolari infamously used Drogba as a scapegoat after his side lost 3-0 to Manchester United at Old Trafford but the Ivory Coast captain insists he was not solely to blame for the team's loss of form.
"When Scolari started blaming individuals, then that was bad," Drogba told The Sun.
"To name one player as to blame for what happened in a squad of 24 players is wrong."
"I was shocked he said that. How can one player be responsible for not winning for so many weeks and losing points?
"This is not an individual sport. When you win games everyone is happy and enjoys it together. But when we lose we have to lose together too.
"If it makes it easier for some people to make me the scapegoat, then fine. All of us were below form against Manchester United, and, sometimes, maybe the coach chooses to make an example of one player. For that game I was the player blamed."
Despite Drogba's admission that he did not always see eye-to-eye with his former boss, the striker denied he played a role in the Scolari's dismissal.
"I have respect for Scolari as a man and a coach but I was not involved in any discussions with the owner (Roman Abramovich).
"If I had as much power with the owner as has been said, then (José) Mourinho would still be here."
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