[blues_for_ever]

Last Updated:Saturday, 30th May 2009
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Hiddink leaves Chelsea on High Note
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Guus Hiddink lifts the FA Cup

Guus Hiddink's reign as Chelsea manager comes to an end with an FA Cup glory at the Wembley stadium by beating Everton in the final.

The Blues fell behind to Louis Saha's record-breaking goal after just 25 seconds at Wembley but bounced back to defeat Everton 2-1. Didier Drogba headed Chelsea level in the 21st minute and Frank Lampard then netted a stunning winner in the second half.

It was Hiddink's last match as Chelsea manager and he immediately returns to manage Russia, leaving behind him a legacy that will be hard to match for whoever takes over the Stamford Bridge hotseat.

The Dutchman only arrived at Chelsea three months ago, replacing the sacked Luiz Felipe Scolari and, with only one defeat in 21 games, lifted Chelsea to a third place finish in the Premier League and into the semi-finals of the Champions League, where they were narrowly (and controversially) beaten by the eventual winners, Barcelona.

With his name now etched into the club's history books, Hiddink led Chelsea to their first trophy since 2007 amid clamorous calls for him to stay on as full-time boss.

But he will not stay. "Of course I will miss them," he said while confirming there was to be no u-turn. "'We talked a lot about this it was not just an inbetween job. I loved it so much, I enjoyed so much working with big stars, but these big stars they knew exactly what it's all about and I think they showed in the Premier League, in the Champions League and now today a lot character.

"This is one of the biggest moments in my career. The Champions League final I reached with PSV is also also big, but this in the Mecca of world football, the FA Cup - something I can't believe."

Chelsea fans can though, as Hiddink has brought a lot to the club in his short period in charge. Changing the team's training methods, which had been criticised under Scolari for lacking intensity, he also gave the Blues a Plan B and freed Frank Lampard up in the middle. The Dutchman also took the step of pairing Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba up front, which provided the side with an interesting balance of power and pace.

Hiddink has also instilled a fighting spirit at the club. Already seen in the semi-final against Arsenal when they went a goal down before mounting a fightback, Chelsea were hit even harder this time as Louis Saha set a new record of 25 seconds for an FA Cup final goal, but the Blues' reaction was again sublime.

It will be very tough for the Chelsea board to find the perfect replacement for Guus Hiidink and whoever comes in this summer now has a benchmark to follow, which will be no easy task.

This post has been edited by blues_for_ever: 03 June 2009 - 08:01 AM

[craguuscool]

Nice start, looking forward to more!

[blues_for_ever]

Chelsea Contenders
Sunday, 31st May 2009

Thinking time for Abramovich

Saturday's departure of former Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink after winning the FA Cup, has seen a host of names already be linked with the Stamford Bridge hot seat.

Hiddink's three-month tenure in West London was very successful, as he instilled the fighting spirit at the club, which helped Chelsea to win their second FA Cup trophy in three seasons.

Hiddink also guided Chelsea to third position in the Premier League, seven points behind champions Manchester United and also to semi finals of the Champions League, where they were knocked out by eventual winners FC Barcelona on away goal rule.

But attention now switches to those men most likely to replace the 62-year-old Dutch and the first name in the frame is Carlo Ancelotti.

The Italian was linked with the job as soon as previous boss Luiz Felipe Scolari was axed in February and Ancelotti has failed to commit his future to club after guiding AC Milan to finish third in the Serie A.

Former Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard is another favoured contender. Rijkaard is a close friend of former boss Guus Hiddink and it is rumoured that Hiddink has suggested Rijkaard's name to take the hot seat at Stamford Bridge.

Rijkaard has also stated he is interested in the Chelsea job, but he is also linked with the vacant job at Ajax.

Gianfranco Zola is understood to have rejected the job and was caught out on a tape secretly meeting the Chelsea players and the club's chief executive Peter Kenyon. The Italian still has two years left on his contract at West Ham and he has done a fantastic job with the club guiding them to finish ninth in the Premier League.

Then, of course, there is the prospect of the return of fan's favourite Jose Mourinho. The 'Special One', who won the Scudetto with Inter Milan has hinted there is a slight chance of leaving Inter in the summer.

Jose Mourinho was axed in September 2007 after guiding Chelsea to two Premier League titles and one FA Cup, and replaced by the luckless Grant who was sacked after the team's defeat in the Champions League final.

Other contenders include former Mexico and Man City boss Sven Goran Eriksson, while former Chelsea player and Juventus manager Didier Deschamps will also be mentioned alongside Bordeaux manager Laurent Blanc and former Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini.

This post has been edited by blues_for_ever: 03 June 2009 - 11:41 AM

[craguuscool]

Some nice choices in there mate, will be interesting to see who it is. KIU.

[blues_for_ever]

Jose rules out Chelsea return
Tuesday 2nd June, 2009

Mourinho: No Chelsea return

Jose Mourinho has told Sky Sports News he will not be returning to Chelsea as manager and is currently happy with Inter Milan. Chelsea are on the lookout for a new manager after Guus Hiddink's reign as Chelsea manager came to an end on Saturday.

Hiddink's stint as Chelsea boss ended with FA Cup glory by beating Everton in the final. He also guided Chelsea to third in the Premier League and the semi finals of the Champions League where they lost to Barcelona.

A host of top names have been linked with the vacant manager's post including Carlo Ancelotti, Frank Rijkaard, Gianfranco Zola and Sven Goran Eriksson. A sensational return to West London for Mourinho, who left Chelsea in September 2007 in shock circumstances, has also been mooted.

However, Mourinho has informed Sky Sports News he has no plans to return to the club where he won back-to-back Premier League titles during his first two years at the club and also stated he is current happy with Inter Milan, whom he guided to yet another Serie A title.

[Ana_Garcia]

You should give it to David Moyes

Will be watching to see who get's the job! Good luck with your story

[saladguy]

Cool, a Chelsea story Looking forward to reading more!

This post has been edited by saladguy: 03 June 2009 - 04:51 PM

[blues_for_ever]

Ancelotti-No Chelsea Contact
Saturday 6th June, 2008

No contact with Chelsea for Ancelotti

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti insists he has not received any contact from Chelsea about the prospect of succeeding Guus Hiddink.

Guus Hiddink's reign as Chelsea manager ended last Saturday with an FA Cup victory in the finals against Everton. And rumour has been rife that Ancelotti, who has also been linked with the Real Madrid hot-seat, is a top target in Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's hunt for a new boss.

However, AC Milan chief Ancelotti - who is out of contract at the end of 2010 - insists his only focus is to win more trophies with AC Milan.

"I am working normally around with the whole squad," Ancelotti, with the help of an interpreter, told a press conference on Sky Sports News. "It is normal for a coach to be mentioned with other clubs when their manager leaves.

"If I take a decision, I will tell my president. But I haven't made a decision yet. My only decision now is to help AC Milan win the Scudetto next season and also perform well in Europe and the domestic cup.

"The club's president is Adriano Galliani. If Chelsea have made any enquiry about me to him then I haven't been told."

[blues_for_ever]

Chelsea rival Marseille for Blanc
Tuesday 9th July, 2009

Blanc wanted by two clubs

Sky Sports News understands members of the Chelsea hierarchy want Laurent Blanc as the club's next manager. The Bordeaux boss is now at the centre of a managerial tug-of-war after Olympique de Marseille also made an approach for Blanc.

The former Barcelona, Marseille, Inter Milan and Manchester United defender was given permission by Bordeaux on Monday to speak to Marseille regarding the possibility of replacing Eriec Gerets at the Stade Vélodrome.

But Sky Sports News understands that Blanc is one of three names in the frame to replace Guus Hiddink in the Stamford Bridge hot seat.

Senior Chelsea figures met outside the country on Monday to discuss the appointment of a new boss, with Blanc and two more foreign candidate in contention to succeed Hiddink.

Chelsea's hunt for their next manager has now 'seriously gathered pace' and a decision is understood to be imminent.

Meanwhile, with Blanc seemingly set to leave Stade Chaban Delmas, former Chelsea player and Juventus boss Didier Deschamps has emerged as a contender for the Bordeaux job. Deschamps has cut short a family holiday in Germany to return to France, but could also be in the running for the Marseille vacancy, if Blanc goes to Chelsea.

[craguuscool]

I really enjoy these manager sagas, will be reading to find out. Keep up the good standard though.

[blues_for_ever]

Moyes reject Blues link
Thursday 11th June, 2009

Moyes deny Chelsea rumours

Everton manaeger David Moyes has played down rumours linking him with the manager's job at Stamford Bridge.

Moyes, along with Man City'sMark Hughes, is the latest name to be linked with the vacant role at Stamford Bridge after Carlo Ancelotti said he would like to stay at AC Milan. Chelsea have been frustrated in their attempts to bring in a new man as they seek to find the successor for Guus Hiddink.

David Moyes has done an impressive job at Everton in the past few years, helping them finish in fifth and qualify for next season's UEFA Europa League and also guided them to the finals of the FA Cup.

Reports have suggested David Moyes has impressed Chelsea officials, but the Scot says he has heard nothing from Chelsea. "I know nothing about Chelsea's interest in me," Moyes told Daily Mirror. "I have not had any approach personally. They are just rumours that are pleasing, but nothing more."

This post has been edited by blues_for_ever: 05 June 2009 - 04:31 AM

[saladguy]

Moyes would be a great choice

[blues_for_ever]

Rijkaard interested in Chelsea job
Saturday 13th June, 2009

Rijkaard interested in Chelsea job

Frank Rijkaard's agent insists the Dutchman would "consider" the Chelsea manager's job and would not be scared off by the ruthless reputation of club owner Roman Abramovich.

Rijkaard has been out of management since leaving Barcelona last summer and is among a list of candidates who have been linked to the Chelsea job to replace Guus Hiddink.

His agent Perry Overeem said today if Chelsea did make an approach then Rijkaard would certainly listen.

"Frank is obviously a big fan of the game and a big fan of the Premier League so he can be interested in working in the Premier League," he told Sky Sports News. "He would consider every serious job offer from one of the major teams in Europe and obviously Chelsea and the Premier League is one of those."

Five managers have come and gone since Abramovich bought Chelsea in the summer of 2003, but Overeem insisted that would not put Rijkaard off the challenge at Stamford Bridge.

"Well of course - the reputation of Chelsea - doesn't make it a lot easier and Frank would take some more time to consider the opportunity, but I don't think Frank will be scared off by those statistics. He will just think of himself as maybe the one candidate who can stay there longer than those earlier coaches."

Its rumoured that former manager Guus Hiddink is a close friend of Frank Rijkaard, and Hiddink has suggested the Chelsea owner to make Rijkaard his successor at Stamford Bridge.

[Ana_Garcia]

@ saladguy - I agree go for Moyes

[craguuscool]

I think you should go for Moyes, great story and quality as always but noticed a mistake, in the Moyes update you have written:

Moyes, along with Man City's David Moyes, is the latest name to be linked with the vacant role at Stamford Bridge

[K3V0]

Well planned updates and this is going well mate. Keep up the good work!

[blues_for_ever]

Last Updated:Monday 15th June, 2009
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Rijkaard set to take Chelsea job
By Phil McNulty
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Rijkaard on the brink of taking over at Chelsea

Frank Rijkaard is close to agreeing to take over as new Chelsea manager, BBC Sport understands.

The former Barcelona coach is considering an offer from Chelsea's owner, Roman Abramovich. And a report in the The Sun also claims Rijkaard, 46, will be unveiled at Stamford Bridge early next week.

Peter Kenyon, told BBC Five Live's Sportsweek programme there is a 'good chance' Rijkaard will be appointed. Chelsea had identified three other bosses had Rjkaard declined Abramovich's offer.

It is understood the alternatives to Rijkaard were West Ham's Gianfranco Zola, AC Milan's coach Carlo Ancelotti and former Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini.

Kenyon, the chief executive officer of the club, confirmed a fall-back option was in place. But it now looks likely Rijkaard will return to football at Chelsea, 12 months after his Barcelona reign ended without a silverware for two consecutive seasons.

"There has been an enormous amount of news and rumours surrounding him," added Kenyon. "The important thing is in the research that I've done and with the people I've spoken to, whose opinions I consider. What they all say absolutely to a man is that his respect amongst players is very high. They all hold him in high regard.

"Rijkaard is on the list of candidates but we don't know if he will accept, so it behoves anyone to think of alternatives. The good news is the alternatives have not been in the gush of publicity and there are talks going on with those others as well.

"But the important thing is that a good quality manager is chosen and that a manager who wants the job takes it in the next couple of days."

Abramovich admits it will take time to bring the first ever Champions League title to London but the owner is also confident it will happen very soon.

"I would like to see Chelsea win the Champions League," he told The Sun. "It will happen very soon, and probably it may happen this season. This year will be better than the last year and we will challenge for all the trophies till the end"

[blues_for_ever]

Last Updated:Friday, 26 June 2009
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Rijkaard named Chelsea boss
By Phil McNulty
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Rijkaard the new Chelsea boss

Former Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard has been confirmed as the new Chelsea manager. The 46-year-old has signed a three-year deal worth a reported £12m - and is set to be given a £57m transfer kitty.

"I'm delighted and honoured to be Chelsea manager. It's an exciting challenge," the Dutch told the club website. He added: "I've already started making preparations for the new season. I want our team to play great football that our fantastic fans can be proud of."

It is believed Johan Neeskens will again be the Dutch's right-hand man and an announcement will be made on Monday. Neeskens was Rijkaard's number two during the former Netherlands and Sparta Rotterdam manager's five-year tenure as Barcelona manager.

Rijkaard has succeeded fellow Dutch and close friend Guus Hiddink, whose reign ended with FA Cup glory.

The Dutch, who met the Chelsea players and took a training session on Wednesday, has been out of football since leaving the Barcelona job in the summer of 2008.

The club's chief executive, Peter Kenyon, said: "I'm delighted that Frank has agreed to join the club as we move into an exciting new era. His experience of managing top clubs to success around Europe is one of the qualities that attracted us to him. He also is a big fan of the Premier League and this challenge would surely excite him."

Rijkaard said the chance to work in the Premier League helped him decide to take the vacant job at Stamford Bridge.

"There are two main reasons why I took this job," he explained. "One is that Chelsea is a big, big football club. Another is the Premier League. I think it is the best league in the world and if you have the opportunity to work in this league you should take it.

"I have and I am very happy. I am looking forward to an exciting season. I don't care at all if I was second, third of fourth choice to be Chelsea manager, I am here and the job is mine."

And the Dutch also reassured the Chelsea fans his team will be ready when the new season starts on 10 August against Manchester United for Community Shield.

"It would be better to have more time but cannot do anything about that," he said. "I am sure we'll have a very good squad when the season starts. I can promise you will see new faces in the team when it does. A lot of players around the world want to play for Chelsea as they know this club is one of the best clubs in Europe.

Rijkaard was reluctant to reveal his goals for next season but is convinced Chelsea can win many trophies this season.

"I have only just signed a contract, it is too early to discuss that. Lets see what we can do in the transfer market and then we will talk about targets," he stated. "But also I feel we can win all trophies this season."

[blues_for_ever]

Iniesta backing Rijkaard
Sunday, 28th June 2009

Iniesta backs Rijkaard

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta is convinced that Frank Rijkaard has what it makes to handle the big players at Chelsea.

Former Barcelona boss Rijkaard has agreed to take over at Stamford Bridge from the first of July and, with reports he is set to add to an already star-studded squad, he will have to make difficult decisions when selecting his teams.

But the 46-year-old has shown time and again that he is more than capable of dealing with that kind of pressure, not least when he threw the inexperienced and young Andres Iniesta in Barcelona's star-stubbed squad in 2003.

"Frank is prepared to make tough decisions in difficult situations," Iniesta told the Daily Mirror. "Players respect him because they know he only does what he thinks is best for the team. He doesn't think about himself and, if he has some hard choices to make, he'll make them.

"He showed that by making me a regular starter in Barcelona team at the young age. That was probably the hardest decision he had to make. It was difficult because there were far more experienced players in the squad.

"I don't think if it was another I would have been in the team, because I wasn't much experience at that time and I was one of the youngest in the side. He doesn't change his mind. No matter if he's criticised, he follows what he believes in."

[blues_for_ever]

Drogba hails Rijkaard appointment
Monday 29th June, 2009

Drogba wants to stay

Didier Drogba has hailed the decision to appoint Frank Rijkaard as Chelsea manager, telling skysports.com that the Dutch is the 'best' man for the role.

Last week, Chelsea announced former Barcelona boss Rijkaard will take over at the helm as Guus Hiddink's successor on 1st July. And Drogba, who joined The Blues in 2005 from Marseille, is sure Rijkaard is the right man to bring success back to Stamford Bridge after the club finished the 2008/09 campaign with just one FA Cup trophy.

"It is good for Chelsea to appoint a top manager," Drogba exclusively told skysports.com. "The players will learn a lot of thing with such a great manager in charge.

"He has won the the Champions League and two consecutive La Liga titles with Barcelona. He has experience and has dealt with top players - so he is one of the best there."

Drogba went on to dispel any potential rumours over his future at Chelsea after the Ivorian is linked with a move to Inter Milan, who are coached by former Blues manager Jose Mourinho.

"I believe the future of Chelsea will be splendid because we have created something for which now many want to come to Chelsea. I want to stay with Chelsea as long as they want me."

This post has been edited by blues_for_ever: 05 June 2009 - 10:18 AM