Chelsea stars say 'get Guus *Hiddink in now'
Senior Chelsea players want Guus *Hiddink to return to Stamford Bridge as manager and save the club's season.
Standard Sport understands some of the squad have lost faith with boss Andre Villas-Boas and believe only *Hiddink can turn their campaign around.
Chelsea have slumped to fifth in the Premier League after winning just two of their last 10 matches and face vital games in the next week against Birmingham in the FA Cup fifth round and away to Napoli in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie.
Villas-Boas is under huge pressure and while the club publicly insist his position is not in jeopardy, owner Roman Abramovich's patience appears to be running out.
Villas-Boas's tactics were questioned by some senior players during a stormy meeting at the training ground on Sunday, which Abramovich attended, after Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Everton.
Abramovich hired Hiddink three years ago this month after losing faith in Luiz Felipe Scolari.
As is the case now, the club's place in the top four was at risk but Hiddink guided them to third in the League, as well as the Champions League semi-final and won the FA Cup after beating Everton at Wembley and many of the players wanted him to stay.
However, he was also in charge of Russia's World Cup qualifying *campaign and went back to that job full-time.
The relationship he forged with the squad has never been forgotten and there are individuals who want *Abramovich to re-hire him.
However, the billionaire faces major competition for his services should he sack Villas-Boas and attempt to put the Dutchman in charge.
The 65-year-old is available, having resigned as Turkey coach in November after failing to secure qualification for Euro 2012.
But it is understood he wants his next job to be a permanent role and wealthy Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala as well as PSV Eindhoven, who he has managed twice before, are interested in him.
His representative Cees van Nieuwenhuizen is refusing to confirm whether Hiddink would be keen on returning to Stamford Bridge.
He said: "I know they are not doing too well at the moment but Guus never puts himself in a position that he says he is interested in whatever job if there is still a coach who is doing the job. For him, that's not the way to treat your colleagues."
Hiddink appeared to be in the running for the job after Carlo Ancelotti was fired last summer only for Chelsea to surprisingly choose Villas-Boas.
The 34-year-old was given the tough task of trying to rejuvenate an ageing squad and his man-management skills have caused problems in the dressing room, particularly in the manner Alex and Nicolas Anelka were treated before they were sold last month.
Yesterday, Porto president Pinto da Costa claimed
his reign is being undermined because players were still in contact with former boss Jose Mourinho.
Standard Sport revealed last week how Abramovich's relationship with the former Chelsea boss has also improved in recent months amid speculation he wants to leave Real Madrid and return to England
in the summer.
Abramovich wanted to give Villas‑Boas as much time as possible to turn results around, yet the next two games could have a huge impact on his future.
Statistically, he is the worst manager of the Abramovich era as Chelsea have won just 48 per cent of their League games. Significantly Hiddink, albeit over just three months, has the best record of the club's seven bosses since 2003 with a winning percentage of nearly 85 per cent.
Senior Chelsea players want Guus *Hiddink to return to Stamford Bridge as manager and save the club's season.
Standard Sport understands some of the squad have lost faith with boss Andre Villas-Boas and believe only *Hiddink can turn their campaign around.
Chelsea have slumped to fifth in the Premier League after winning just two of their last 10 matches and face vital games in the next week against Birmingham in the FA Cup fifth round and away to Napoli in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie.
Villas-Boas is under huge pressure and while the club publicly insist his position is not in jeopardy, owner Roman Abramovich's patience appears to be running out.
Villas-Boas's tactics were questioned by some senior players during a stormy meeting at the training ground on Sunday, which Abramovich attended, after Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Everton.
Abramovich hired Hiddink three years ago this month after losing faith in Luiz Felipe Scolari.
As is the case now, the club's place in the top four was at risk but Hiddink guided them to third in the League, as well as the Champions League semi-final and won the FA Cup after beating Everton at Wembley and many of the players wanted him to stay.
However, he was also in charge of Russia's World Cup qualifying *campaign and went back to that job full-time.
The relationship he forged with the squad has never been forgotten and there are individuals who want *Abramovich to re-hire him.
However, the billionaire faces major competition for his services should he sack Villas-Boas and attempt to put the Dutchman in charge.
The 65-year-old is available, having resigned as Turkey coach in November after failing to secure qualification for Euro 2012.
But it is understood he wants his next job to be a permanent role and wealthy Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala as well as PSV Eindhoven, who he has managed twice before, are interested in him.
His representative Cees van Nieuwenhuizen is refusing to confirm whether Hiddink would be keen on returning to Stamford Bridge.
He said: "I know they are not doing too well at the moment but Guus never puts himself in a position that he says he is interested in whatever job if there is still a coach who is doing the job. For him, that's not the way to treat your colleagues."
Hiddink appeared to be in the running for the job after Carlo Ancelotti was fired last summer only for Chelsea to surprisingly choose Villas-Boas.
The 34-year-old was given the tough task of trying to rejuvenate an ageing squad and his man-management skills have caused problems in the dressing room, particularly in the manner Alex and Nicolas Anelka were treated before they were sold last month.
Yesterday, Porto president Pinto da Costa claimed
his reign is being undermined because players were still in contact with former boss Jose Mourinho.
Standard Sport revealed last week how Abramovich's relationship with the former Chelsea boss has also improved in recent months amid speculation he wants to leave Real Madrid and return to England
in the summer.
Abramovich wanted to give Villas‑Boas as much time as possible to turn results around, yet the next two games could have a huge impact on his future.
Statistically, he is the worst manager of the Abramovich era as Chelsea have won just 48 per cent of their League games. Significantly Hiddink, albeit over just three months, has the best record of the club's seven bosses since 2003 with a winning percentage of nearly 85 per cent.
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