Chelsea Manager Search: Latest News, Rumours and Speculation on Position

Rob BlanchetteDec 17, 2015

Chelsea's hunt to find Jose Mourinho's immediate successor has ended with the appointment of Guus Hiddink until the end of the season. However, speculation continues toward who will receive the job long-term.

Continue for updates.

Sampaoli Considered for Position

Wednesday, Dec. 23

"Chelsea have sounded out Chile boss Jorge Sampaoli," reported Antony Kastrinakis of the Sun. "SunSport understands Blues owner Roman Abramovich is considering the Argie, 55, as long-term successor to Jose Mourinho, who was sacked last week."

Simeone Reportedly Interested in Chelsea Job

Tuesday, Dec. 22

Telegraph Football reported Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone "would demand control of transfers" to take over as Chelsea Manager.

On Dec. 19, Matt Lewis of the Daily Mirror reported Simeone declined to comment on rumours of his interest in a move to Stamford Bridge.

On Dec. 18, Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail reported Simeone is interested in taking over permanently at Stamford Bridge in the offseason:

"
Simeone is open to joining Chelsea next season and believes the language barrier would not pose him a major problem.
The Argentine features prominently on the club’s list of candidates to replace the sacked Jose Mourinho.
And Sportsmail understands the Atletico Madrid boss is keen to listen to what Chelsea have to say ahead of a possible summer move.
"

"Reliably informed Simeone is a strong contender to take over at Chelsea long-term," reported Rory Smith of the Times.

Simeone took charge of Atletico Madrid in 2011 and is a hero to the supporters of the club, representing the Liga side as a player and manager.

The fiery individual won the Primera Division title in 2013-14 and has had significant success in European competition—winning the UEFA Europa League and leading his team to the UEFA Champions League final.

Simeone has a similar character to Mourinho and commands the same adulation the former Blues boss does from fans.

He would be an interesting capture for the champions of England, and he would help Chelsea to recover their pride after the shocking end to Mourinho's tenure.

Hiddink Returns to Chelsea

Saturday, Dec. 19

Chelsea revealed the appointment of Hiddink—who previously took over the Blues on an interim basis in 2009—just days after Mourinho's departure.

Pep Reportedly Eyed for Blues Job

Friday, Dec. 18

"[Chelsea owner] Abramovich is a big [Pep] Guardiola fan," an unnamed source told Jack Wilson of the Daily Star. "The move to bring him in is already 90 percent done already."

Ranieri, Shevchenko Dismiss Chelsea Rumblings

Thursday, Dec. 17

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri and former Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko both downplayed rumours they had interest in the Blues job, according to Omnisport (via Goal):

"
"I think only about Leicester now," [Ranieri] said. "That is speculation. I am an old man and I have read a lot of speculation. But of course it's much better this kind of speculation than Greece speculation of course."
[...]
Former Chelsea striker Shevchenko, meanwhile, suggested he was not yet ready to begin a career in management.
Speaking at the Kuwait Champions Challenge, the 39-year-old laughed when asked if he wanted to manage the Blues and said: "Listen, I won't start my career for another year yet. When I have started, it will probably be the right question for me.
"Right now, I'm still thinking about my career as in management like as a sporting director or working in administration of a club. Maybe I will soon start my own career as a manager."
"

Chelsea in Danger of Relegation

Ian Abrahams of talkSPORT commented on Mourinho's dismissal and said he believed the Chelsea board would back the manager until the end of the campaign:

Sports journalist Chris Holt proclaimed English football has lost one of its star attractions:

Mourinho's mood on the touchline became increasingly miserable as he failed to fire his troops back to the standard of last season.

Eden Hazard and Diego Costa's performance levels crashed under Mourinho, and the manager has paid the ultimate price for Chelsea's league position—they were 16th at the time of his dismissal.

The Blues sit one point above the relegation zone in the league and have failed to get their season going, recording nine defeats in 16 matches.