EPL 2015: Chelsea FC restore order after Jose Mourinho axe

The Dutch coach was in the stands to watch the Blues take on Sunderland on Saturday, with Steve Holland and Eddie Newton taking temporary charge as the team romped to a comfortable 3-1 win.

Guus Hiddink (left) watching the Chelsea-Sunderland match with owner Roman Abramovich (above).

“I am excited to return”, said the Dutchman. However, despite the improved display, the home fans made it very clear as to who they blamed for Jose Mourinho’s recent exit, targeting both Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas during the game while chanting the name of their former “Special One” throughout.

“We let them turn the style on”, Sunderland’s manager Sam Allardyce said afterwards, but the idea that there may have been two teams out there, with one playing less poorly than the other, was lost on the home supporters who felt they were witnessing the confessions of the conspirators in front of their very eyes.

He added: “‘I am looking forward to working with the players and staff at this great club and especially renewing my wonderful relationship with the Chelsea fans”.

Goals from Branislav Ivanovic, Pedro and Oscar gave Chelsea the three points, just their fifth win in 17 Premier League games this season.

Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo said a “palpable discord between manager and players” had contributed to Mourinho’s dismissal, the second time he has been sacked by the club.

However, Hiddink’s fortunes have faded since he was last at Chelsea.

Meanwhile, Chelsea captain John Terry has dismissed media reports that Mourinho’s sacking was caused by a mutiny in the dressing room, denying that any players had deliberately performed badly in order to hasten his departure.

Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola, who is set to reveal on Saturday if he will stay at the German club beyond the end of the season, is among the possible permanent replacements.

One banner read “You let Jose down”.

“This club does not deserve to be in the position where we are now. If they do then credit to them, but I think it will be hard for certain characters”.

“We leave all decisions to Mr Abramovich and the board, and know that our job, as players, is to focus on getting results on the pitch”.

“Now we find ourselves on the points total way behind the games played total, and that’s the difficulty, that’s where the pressure lies on these players week on week now”.