Confirmed: Chelsea FC Appoint Guus Hiddink As Manager After Jose Mourinho Leaves
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Chelsea FC have officially confirmed the installment of Guus Hiddink as Jose Mourinho’s replacement.
After Mourinho was finally dismissed, rumours were doing the rounds that Guus Hiddink would be brought in at least as a short-term solution. Now, the club have confirmed his appointment in a statement.
"Chelsea Football Club can confirm Guus Hiddink has been appointed first-team manager until the end of the season."
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This will be the Dutch manager’s second stint at Stamford Bridge, having undertaken his first spell in somehwat similar circumstances.
After a disastrous few months under the direction of Luiz Felipe Scolari, Hiddink was drafted in as Chelsea’s knight in shining armour. And he delivered. The Dutchman steered the club to third-place and Champions League qualification while also delivering Roman Abramovich the FA Cup.
The Blues will be praying to God (other deities are available) that Hiddink can pull the rabbit out of the hat yet again as this Chelsea side head towards the Championship.
Opinion surrounding Mourinho’s departure has been overwhelmingly negative, with many blaming the players for the supposed mutual termination of his second tenure. All this makes for what is likely to be a negative and feisty atmosphere on Saturday as Sunderland visit.
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However, none of the ill-feeling, should it be evident, will be directed at Hiddink. After his first stint, the Dutchman is highly-regarded by the Stamford Bridge faithful and is likely one of the few realistic short-term replacements that the fans will be content with.
Having said that, with Juande Ramos being one of the alternatives touted, it’s not much of a competition.
Nevertheless, Hiddink is the man who has been charged with riding out this storm and there is nothing that Chelsea supporters can do but stand behind their new Dutch coach like they stood behind Mourinho.
Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see whether the squad are refreshed by Mourinho’s dismissal. With rumours suggesting that the Portuguese tactician had lost the dressing room and that players were actively leading an internal revolt against him, Mourinho’s critics are expecting the team to return to their best.
However, the vast majority of the Chelsea fans are extremely disappointed with his depature and many are saying that a good performance on Saturday afternoon would amount to little more than a slap in the face.
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For Hiddink, though, the hard work starts immediately with the weekend’s game being key (even though Steve Holland will take charge). Sunderland, despite what appeared like a revitalisation under Sam Allardyce, have regressed to being awful again. With the raw talent in the squad, the Blues should be winning this fixture with their eyes closed, but how many times have we said that this season?