Passers-by in Derry city were faced with some of the most bizarre 'wait, was that...' moments in years this week, as a number of commuters and shoppers claimed to spot a rather famous face from the world of football. No, not Joe Brolly.
Just nine months after those glorious Manuel Pellegrini sightings in Cork (which provoked an official comment from Cobh Ramblers), several Derry natives have reported rare and random sightings of former Brazil and Chelsea manager 'Big' Phil Scolari.
Witness accounts were treated with much scrutiny; this is, after all, the internet age, but perhaps more pertinently the World Cup-winner is currently at the helm at Guangzhou Evergrande in the Chinese Super League.
The Derry Journal reports that the 68-year-old "was spotted on the 212 Translink Goldline service from the bus station in Foyle Street to the Europa bus station in Belfast on Monday." They also note that "There were further sightings in the Sandwich Company."
Naturally, Twitter and Facebook were awash with unconfirmed rumours - that is until the 212 Translink Goldline driver caught the big Brazilian for a quick selfie.
What the fuck is Phil Scolari doing in Derry hahaha?
— Karl (@karldbradley) January 3, 2017
@DerryDiaspora here he is with the 212 driver. pic.twitter.com/k64CF1NNrG
— The Truth is (@snipesAsterisk) January 3, 2017
@snipesofficial @DerryDiaspora at least someone got some evidence, think I was a bit shellshocked.
— Ethan M Barr (@ethanbarr2) January 3, 2017
Big Phil Scolari on the Goldliner from Belfast to L'Derry? I just love the randomness of it. 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷
— Kenny (@Kennydotcom) January 5, 2017
But what the hell was Big Phil doing in James McClean country? Sadly, he wasn't scouting Nathan Boyle ahead of a €148m move, but instead was visiting his son.
According to The Derry Journal, Scolari Junior is a student at Queen's University, Belfast, but is currently on work placement in Derry, and so his Pops popped over from China for a quick hello.
Indeed, Scolari spent Christmas with his son in Belfast while both were on holidays, and popped down to Derry for a gander before jetting back to China from Belfast International Airport.
Kenny Shiels, then, can sleep easy this weekend.
