Search This Blog

Monday, February 09, 2009

Scolari sacked by Chelsea - Guus Hiddink favoured to take over

Guus Hiddink is widely regarded as the favourite for the Chelsea manager's job in the wake of Luiz Felipe Scolari's shock sacking on Monday afternoon.

But Hiddink's price has been drifting after his agent Cees van Nieuwenhuizen said there was "no chance" of him going to Stamford Bridge. "Guus wants to qualify for World Cup for a fourth time in a row and with a fourth different team." he said.

With Chelsea having slipped to fourth in the Premier League - seven points off Manchester United's pace, having played a game more - the decision was taken to axe Luiz Filipe Scolari.

That sparked a frenzy in the betting markets, with Guus Hiddink and Avram Grant almost immediately being linked with managerial roles at the club.

Grant, ditched by the club and replaced by Scolari in the summer, was being touted as director of football with current Russia boss Hiddink in charge of team affairs.

Hiddink, who knows Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich as a result of his spell in charge of the Russian national side, was almost immediately installed asthe bookmakers 1/2 favourite for the manager's job - but that price soon drifted out to a general 3/1 as the markets settled down.

Paddy Power's Darren Haines said: "Hiddink's close relationship with Abramovich in the Russia job have repeatedly linked Guus to the Stamford Bridge post in the past. Now could finally be the time for Chelsea to go Dutch."

Betfred's Jon Wilde added: "Surely now Chelsea will go for someone who knows his onions at club level. Hiddink fits the bill having won the European Cup and with his Russian connections he is a worthy favourite."

Meanwhile, bet365 are prepared to offer 14/1 about Avram Grant returning to the hot seat.

Former Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard is also prominent in the betting at a general 6/1, while Chelsea playing legend Gianfranco Zola, currently in charge of West Ham, is also towards to the top of the markets at a best price of 7/1.

Earlier Zola's lawyer Fulvio Marrucco had said: "At the moment we know nothing about the link between Gianfranco Zola and the vacant position at Chelsea.

"Gianfranco is very happy at West Ham and still thanks them for giving him the opportunity to be a coach in the Premier League. It is very difficult to say if anything will happen, but Chelsea is a special place for Gianfranco Zola."

No comments: