Chelsea Football Club has had an interesting 2015-2016 season so far. The club, who were the top team last year, showcased a rocky first half of the season. Rumors circulated about a player’s mutiny under the leadership of then-manager Jose Mourinho as the team continued to run farther down the table with every game. Questions swirled around the media as they pointed doubt at the morale of the players and if it would be possible to make the top four at all.
What will Hiddink choose?
In December 2015, Jose Mourinho was let go on his contract with the football club after becoming head coach in June 2013 for the second time. The 2014 – 2015 season was one of the best Chelsea had in a long time as they won the League cup eight points ahead of runner ups, Manchester City. Yet, Chelsea lost nine out of their 16 league games and found themselves one spot above regulation. It was by far the worst start the team has ever had. Mourinho’s final game was during the beginning of December after his players lost to Leicester City, the table’s leaders, 2 to 1.
With the head coach job vacant, rumors began to swirl with who could take over and get the club back into shape. A few names that rose to the surface were Juande Ramos, Pep Guardiola and Brendan Rodgers, who was recently let go by rivals Liverpool Football Club. Yet, it was Guus Hiddink, who has been the interim coach since the departure of Mourinho. Under his reign, Hiddink is the first Premier League coach to not lose a single game in his first 12.
Ray Wilkins, a former professional player who played and assisted at Chelsea, thinks that Guus would be an ideal candidate for the team. He spoke to ESPNFC stating that “For me, [Hiddink’s] the ideal person to take over. You can see the way he’s galvanised the squad, and the whole squad. They’re putting in a great shift of work and looking as if they’re going to win more games than they lose. It’s going to be very, very interesting to see where they can finish.”
With all his accomplishments and player morale back up to top form, it’s surprising there hasn’t been a single word on whether Hiddink would continue after the current season. If he does leave, Hiddink’s departure could coincide with John Terry’s as well. The captain of Chelsea has stated that if he is not offered a new contract, he will leave at the end of the season. Terry, who has played for Chelsea since 1998, has not played for any other Premier League club in his Senior career.