Could Hiddink be about to return to Chelsea?
Guus Hiddink could be making an announcement as early as next month about his future. He has a contract with as Russia’s head coach until the end of June 2010 and now with the failure to qualify for the World Cup it is thought he will quit and become Technical Director at Chelsea.
Hiddink had a successful spell as Chelsea’s temporary manager last season, stepping in after the departure of Luiz Felipe Scolari and winning the FA Cup. He remains on extremely good terms with the club’s owner Roman Abramovich, and it’s widely known that the players would welcome him back to Chelsea.
Yesterday Russian state-run newspapers squarely blamed Hiddink for Russia’s failure to overcome Slovenia. Russia went into Wednesday’s second leg with a 2-1 advantage after last Saturday’s match in Moscow but lost 1-0 to be eliminated on the away goal and had two players, including Chelsea’s Yuri Zhirkov, sent off.
If Hiddink is to quit, which I don’t doubt, the favourite to take over is Roberto Mancini.
Liverpool
Are you thinking Benitez is out or going?
Don’t forget they have to pay him loads (over £10 million) if they sack him
If Liverpool fail to qualify for the next phase of the Champions League they will sell Torres, thus triggering Rafa’s resignation (he threatened to quit if Torres was sold). No compensation would be due under these circumastances.
In any event, compensation would be far less than £10m depending on when Benitez finds another job.
Hiddink could indeed make his way back to Stanford Bridge, as he shares a good relationship with Abramovich and has also played a part in the Blue’s season earlier. But he could also as stated from comments above join Liverpool in case they fail to make it in the top 4 by the end of the season, need to wait and see.
Stamford Bridge ** typo above :)