The former Netherlands manager Guus Hiddink is believed to be holding talks with Chelsea Football Club about becoming their interim manager, replacing the sacked Jose Mourinho on an interim basis.
Hiddink already has experience of managing Chelsea, with the 69 year old Dutchman having replaced Luis Felipe Scolari when the Brazilian was sacked by the club during the 2008-2009 season. He arrived on a temporary basis until the end of the campaign, winning the FA Cup with the Blues.
Chelsea confirmed the departure of Jose Mourinho yesterday, with the self-proclaimed ‘Special One’ paying the price for the club’s appalling defence of their Premier League crown. The club have lost nine of their opening sixteen league games, winning just two of their last ten games and now sitting a mere point above the relegation zone in 16th place in the table.
With the Portuguese boss having been relieved of his duties a mere seven months after he left Chelsea to the title, the Blues are keen to bring in an experienced coach to help them get things back on track. Having won the Dutch league title six times and two European Cups with PSV Eindhoven as well as coaching South Korea, Russia and Australia, there is no question that Hiddink fits that profile.
What may cause Chelsea fans some concern is the fact that the Dutchman stood down as Netherlands manager back in June, with the country’s qualifying campaign for Euro 2016 in complete disarray. Though he wasn’t in charge at the end of the campaign the Netherlands finished fourth in a weak group, losing out to the Czech Republic, Iceland and Turkey.
John Terry took to the well-known social media platform Instagram to announce his disappointment at the sacking of Mourinho. He said it was a ‘sad, sad day’ and that he was ‘going to miss the Portuguese 52 year old. He wrote, “The very best I have ever worked with, unbelievable memories together. Thank you doesn’t seem enough”.
Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta echoed Terry’s thoughts, saying, “I would publicly like to thank Jose Mourinho for his contribution to this club and for everything he has taught me over the years. I want to wish him all the best for the future. With him we have achieved very important titles and memories for the fans that will remain in the history of Chelsea forever. He will always be remembered. Thank you mister”.
The players’ remarks are in direct contrast to the words of the club’s technical director, Michael Emenalo, however, who said that there was a ‘palpable discord between manager and players’ towards the end of Mourinho’s time at the club. The 52 year old’s choice of words in saying that he felt a sense of ‘betrayal’ by his players after their 2-1 loss to Leicester City at The King Power Stadium on Monday night causing the club’s owner, Roman Abramovich, to re-think his support of Mourinho.
With 69 year old Hiddink rumoured to be at a London hotel today talking to Chelsea officials, the club will be hoping that they can get their season back on track before it’s too late. A loss at the weekend to Sunderland combined with a victory for Norwich City over Manchester United at Old Trafford would see the Blues drop into the relegation zone and mean that the Dutchman would really have his work cut out to help Chelsea climb the table over the busy festive period.