Ivanovic welcomes Hiddink return to Chelsea

Drogba who is a fan favourite at the Stamford Bridge was in the stands with own Roman Abramovich and Hiddink during Chelsea‘s 3-1 win over Sunderland on Saturday.

Hiddink has not ruled out helping Chelsea identify Mourinho’s long-term successor, but refused to be drawn on whether Didier Drogba would join his back-room staff. “Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in the world but is not where it should be at the moment”, Hiddink said.

“Hopefully together we can climb back up the table and we’re looking forward to starting working with him”.

Fabregas was booed in Saturday’s 3-1 home win over Sunderland, the Blues faithful accusing the Spain playmaker and Diego Costa of undermining Jose Mourinho and contributing to the Portuguese’s sacking. Such is the sentiment in these parts after the Premier League champions sacked the most successful manager in their history last week.

Hiddink will take charge until the end of the season but Chelsea are reportedly in talks with Atletico Madrid boss Simeone over taking charge at the end of the current campaign.

“I am excited to return”, said the Dutchman.

The 69-year-old Hiddink’s latest firefighting role comes with Chelsea only four points above the Premier League relegation zone following an alarming slump just seven months after sweeping to the title.

“Whatever has happened (with Mourinho) stays in the past and now we want to work hard with the new manager to get a good result against Watford”.

He also helped Chelsea reach the Champions League semi-finals, losing narrowly to Barcelona, and has the chance to surpass that when the competition resumes in February with Chelsea through to the last 16 against Paris St Germain.

Holland said the players had competed well, especially in the first half, on Saturday when goals from Branislav Ivanovic (5 min), Pedro (13) and Oscar, from the penlty spot (50) underlined their supremacy before Fabio Borini clawed one back for the visitors in the 53rd minute.

“It is going to be hard to win every game, we know that, but step by step there are a lot of games over Christmas”.

“I think his first aim is to stabilise us, to give everything to the team so we can play like we did against Sunderland”.

“The fans showed their loyalty and what they had for Jose Mourinho”.