Hiddink poised to replace Mourinho at Chelsea, says Kezman

“I am excited to return to Stamford Bridge”, Hiddink told Chelsea‘s official website.

Former Chelsea striker Mateja Kezman was another to let the cat out of the bag when he told Croatian newspaper Index that Hiddink has already told him the job is his.

“It’s probably been the most hard time of his career and he’s been left thinking: ‘What do I do next?’ because we’ve never seen him in this situation where he’s struggling for results and people are questioning him”.

Mourinho may even have led them to the Champions League crown, the only gap on his Chelsea CV, this season but we will never know.

Asked about the role of the players in Mourinho’s sacking, Emenalo added: “This is essentially the same group of players who won the league and the League Cup last season”.

“I think this decision is correct and Guus Hiddink is a great choice”.

The 69-year-old stepped in at Chelsea in similar circumstances in 2009, succeeding the sacked Luiz Felipe Scolari and lead the club to FA Cup glory.

Ultimately he couldn’t and the Netherlands failed to qualify.

Former England captain and Chelsea defender John Terry took to Instagram to express his thanks and regret after Mourinho’s Stamford Bridge exit, posting a photo of he and the former manager embracing.

Hiddink could be in the stands for Chelsea’s home game with Sunderland later on Saturday, when assistant coach Steve Holland is expected to take charge of the team.

The statement from CAA Sports also appears to confirm that Mourinho was sacked from his second spell at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, with Premier League champion Chelsea having lost nine of its first 16 league matches this season. They now sit just one point above the relegation zone.

The Blues are now 66/1 to be relegated to the Sky Bet Championship, 200/1 to retain their title and 11/1 to finish in the top four.

Guardiola has been linked with a move away from Bayern at the end of the season, while Louis van Gaal is now finding life tricky in the Old Trafford hot-seat, a position Mourinho was widely linked with following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.

“So though it is sad to see him leave the Premier League, it was the only decision to be made really”.

Posted at 1505 GMT on 17/12/15 & updated at 2105 GMT.