Chelsea officials are close to an agreement which would see Guus Hiddink succeed José Mourinho as Chelsea manager. Sky sources reported that a deal to bring the Dutchman back to Stamford Bridge is being finalised in London (Sky, http://news.sky.com/story/1608440/hiddink-finalising-chelsea-deal-sky-sources).
Guus Hiddink holding talks with Chelsea over caretaker role https://t.co/TmaPObIddS (Photo: Getty) pic.twitter.com/AV5nUSFF8j
— Guardian Sport (@guardian_sport), December 18, 2015
The deal being explored would see Hiddink, who won the FA Cup with the Blues in a spell as interim manager during the 2008/09 Premier League season, take charge on a provisional basis until the end of the season while a long term replacement is found for José Mourinho, who was sacked by the English champions (via The Mirror, http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/chelsea-target-diego-simeone-keen-7036357).
Speculation about the story has gathered pace throughout the day, following comments from former Chelsea star, Mateja Kežman, who told a Croatian newspaper that Hiddink will become Chelsea’s next boss (via ESPN http://www.espnfc.com/chelsea/story/2761318/hiddink-to-make-chelsea-return-after-mourinho-exit-kezman). The Serbian striker claimed to hear about the news from Hiddink himself, saying, “I do not know if it is officially confirmed, whether the club has announced it, but Guus told me earlier”.
The veteran Dutch manager knows Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich, well from his time at the helm of the Russian national team and has remained a popular figure among the Blues’ fanbase since regenerating a side demotivated by the disappointing reign of Luiz Felipe Scolari six years ago.
Hiddink is seen as a steady candidate to improve the Chelsea’s dreadful season by the likes of former assistant manager Ray Wilkins, who highlighted the Dutchman’s excellent man management and communication skills (via Sky Sports http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11668/10103303/ray-wilkins-gives-guus-hiddink-blessing-for-chelsea-but-likes-diego-simeone-long-term).
Hiddink won’t necessarily have us playing like Barça but we did play good football in his first spell. Should benefit our flair players.
— ️ (@HazardEdition) December 18, 2015
But, despite Hiddink’s many backers, the Dutchman has no illusions about the difficulty of leading a club where so much has gone wrong in such a short timespan.
Speaking to the Dutch Telegraaf newspaper, Hiddink said he would prioritise getting “as much information as possible” in talks. He also suggested that he would only be in the stands for Chelsea’s next game depending on the success of his first conversation with the club (via Daily Mail http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/article-3365570/John-Terry-saddened-Jose-Mourinhos-exit-hails-best-manager.html).
Certain reports have also stated that Hiddink wants assurances that the players are committed to the club before taking the role, following countless issues with player morale, bust-ups and infighting throughout this season (via The Sun http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/6812258/Guus-Hiddink-in-for-talks-as-Roman-Abramovich-visits-Chelsea-players-preparing-for-Sunderland-clash-fearing-abuse-from-own-fans.html).
While Scolari’s dismissal in 2009 was on the grounds of the team not being close enough to the Champions League spots, Chelsea have far greater concerns this time around. In 16th place and only a single point off the relegation zone, any manager experienced as Hiddink is bound to be cautious about taking the role.
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