SportsRooter.com: Guus Hiddink

Claudio Ranieri thanks Guus Hiddink

The match between Tottenham and Chelsea was always going to be a feisty affair.

Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri called to say thank you, says Guus Hiddink

One team was fighting for the title, their first since 1961. The other team were the current Premier league champions and were not interested in surrendering their title to a major London rival. Above all, this was a major London derby with the result mattering to the fans more than at least Chelsea's league position.

Hence, it was not a surprise to see the way Chelsea came back in the second half. The intensity and the passion shown by the Blues was one which was never seen in any of their games in this season. The way the crowd pushed them at times made one feel like it was Chelsea who were fighting for the title.

Finally, Chelsea did hammer the final nail in Tottenham's coffin. Again it was Hazard's goal that decided the Premier league champions and Ranieri was quick to thank the Chelsea manager for the effort put in.

It was more of Chelsea not allowing Tottenham to win but there was also an element, where they wanted this fairy tale to happen and their former manager to be successful. Ranieri would not care one bit what made Chelsea do this, but he definitely acknowledged the effort put by his former club.

Hiddink stated that Ranieri was emotional and said thanks about five times in their conversation through the phone. This is not something that a football fan often witnesses, let alone the manager of the team that won it.

Guus Hiddink is furious with Oscar

It seems Chelsea's problems are not over with the latest calamitous defeat at the hands of Manchester City.

Chelsea playmaker Oscar forced Guus Hiddink into late change by calling in sick for Man City defeat

Hiddink is reportedly unhappy with the behavior of his Brazilian midfielder Oscar. Oscar was supposed to be named among the substitutes for the game against City. However, Oscar told the medical staff and the manager that he was not well and could not be part of the game.

Hiddink had to make some last minute changes to his team due to this reason. However, the fact that Oscar did not even arrive to the stadium for the game against City infuriated the Dutchman even more.

Although Oscar informed that he was not well enough to make it to the stadium, Hiddink felt that there was a lack of commitment from the side of his midfielder.

Incoming manager Antonio Conte has stated that he would like to have total commitment from his entire squad. It seems Oscar would be having problems providing the same if he is more often a part of the substitutes bench.

Ramires left because Hiddink did not like him

Former Chelsea midfielder Ramires has stated the reason for him leaving Chelsea in the January transfer window.

Guus Hiddink never liked me as a Chelsea player so I left - Ramires

The Brazilian midfielder stated that the reason he joined Jiangsu Suning for a huge fee of around £25 million is because he felt Chelsea Interim manager Guus Hiddink did not like him as a player. Ramires stated that under Mourinho, he knew he had a chance of playing often for the first team, but under Hiddink, he was disillusioned with respect to his role in the team.

He felt the Dutchman froze him out of the first team and he expressed his disappointment when he could not contribute to the team at a time when the squad was struggling. He was not unhappy with his non involvement and hence, chose to leave the club.

The former Benfica midfielder, however, stated that Chelsea remains close to his heart and that the Blues should qualify back to the Champions league as soon as possible since the team belongs to that competition.

Ramires had a successful career at the London club, most importantly, winning the Premier league and the Champions league. His crucial goal against Barcelona in the Champions league semifinal is surely one which no Chelsea fan can forget.

Hiddink explains Rahman substitution

Chelsea Interim manager Guus Hiddink would have been quite happy having overseen the Premier league champions' first successful comeback of the season.

Chelsea chief Guus Hiddink reveals clear-the-air-talks with Baba Rahman

However, the Dutchman had to make an important decision at half time at St Mary's in order to oversee such a remarkable comeback. Left back Baba Rahman had made a crucial error giving away the ball quite cheaply, which sent Shane Long through to score the opening goal for the Saints.

Rahman, who has been the second choice left back with Azpilicueta being preferred ahead of him, was visibly disappointed after seeing his mistake ending up in a goal. It seems the former Augsburg defender could not shake his disappointment away in time before the start of the second half.

When asked to explain the substitution, the former Netherlands boss stated that before the announcement was made, he saw Rahman was down. Hence, he felt that the right decision was to take off the left back at half time. Hiddink stated that Rahman has been quite good for the Blues in recent games but added that it is vital to be critical at times.

Hiddink wants quick decision on Chelsea managerial appointment

It seems Chelsea Interim manager Guus Hiddink wants his team to appoint a new manager for the next season as soon as possible. Hiddink took over from Mourinho earlier in the season and has been able to steady the ship for the club.

Guus Hiddink hopes Chelsea reach a swift resolution to their managerial search

The Dutchman believes that the decision should be more transparent. Although the former Australian boss did not endorse a particular name, he does want the club to finish the matter soon. Hiddink also discussed the difference between being a national coach and a club coach.

He added that when one is a national coach, he is not always in touch with the players but a person is always working with his players when they are club managers. The views almost hint of a possibility that Chelsea's next coach may be someone who is a national team coach at the moment.

Earlier in the season, it was also reported that Abramovich wants the managerial issue to be dealt with by March. With Italy manager Antonio Conte reportedly agreeing personal agreements with the club, it does feel that Chelsea may announce the Italian as their next coach in the near future.

Should Hiddink give a chance to the Chelsea youngsters?

The away win against Crystal Palace is a huge step in the right direction for Chelsea. The manner of the victory just delineates the drastic difference between the way the players performed under Mourinho and are performing under Hiddink.

Guus Hiddink

However, although the victory may give the slightest hope of a battle for the top four places, it will really take a monumental effort for Hiddink and his team to achieve it. The first priority of the club would definitely be to reach the top half of the table. Hence, for a team with much loftier ambitions, this is now certainly a season where there is not much to lose.

When Mourinho was appointed for the second time as the Chelsea manager, it was obviously from a long term point of view and Mourinho himself admitted to the fact of giving the academy players a chance. One player who certainly caught everyone's attention last season was Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Mourinho believed that he was the one for the future and he provided the young man with some opportunities after Chelsea won the title last time.

However, it all went downhill from there with Loftus-Cheek hardly getting any opportunity in spite of the senior players performing poorly this season. Mourinho has gone and Hiddink has come in with nothing to lose. In a season where there is not much expectation, the youngster certainly deserves to be getting more playing time. To be fair to him, he has looked very assured whenever played and can be Premier league material if nurtured in the right way.

Another person who can make an impact for the present champions is Patrick Bamford. The forward was brilliant for Middlesbrough with 17 goals to his name in the championship last season and almost took them to the Premier league. The Chelsea fans had hoped to see Bamford playing on a regular basis with Boro in the Premier league last season but they would not have been too disappointed given that Pardew signed the young center forward on loan for this season.

Although the Palace forwards have not been prolific this season, Bamford hardly got a sniff of the starting eleven and right described his loan spell as terrible. It was surprising that Mourinho chose to sign Falcao as the third choice forward rather than keep Bamford but with Falcao proving that he is beyond repair, surely, the young man should be given a chance.

However, it seems that these two may still not feature in Hiddink's plans. Mikel has certainly been a key figure in Hiddink's plans off late with Bamford set for a loan spell again this season. Bournemouth are the team currently interested in the young forward and it looks like another season where Chelsea may again fail to provide their upcoming academy stars a fair crack of the whip.

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