Blues ready to go Dutch

LONDON — Dutch managers Frank Rijkaard and Guus Hiddink, both linked with Chelsea last year, are reported to be in Chelsea’s shortlist of replacements after Luiz Felipe Scolari was sacked on Monday.
.The Brazilian was let go after losing the confidence of club owner Roman Abramovich, while a number of senior players had begun to question his methods. Assistant manager Ray Wilkins will take charge in the short term.
.Rijkaard’s agent insists the ex-Barcelona coach, has been out of management since last summer, would “consider” the Chelsea manager’s job and would not be scared off by the ruthless reputation of club owner Roman Abramovich.
.“(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,” Rijkaard’s agent, Perry Overeem, told Sky Sports.
.Four managers have come and gone since Abramovich bought Chelsea in mid-2003, but Overeem insisted that would not put Rijkaard off.
.“I don’t think Frank will be scared off by those statistics,” he said. “He will just think of himself as maybe the one candidate who can stay there longer than those earlier coaches.”
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.Guus focused on Russia
.Hiddink already has a relationship with the Blues’ billionaire owner Abramovich through his role as Russia coach.
.However, the Dutchman remains “focused“ on leading Russia to the 2010 World Cup according to his representative Cees van Nieuwenhuizen.
.“I think because of the personal relationship he has with Mr Abramovich, he will definitely talk to him and listen to him, but I think Mr Abramovich realises he also has not finished his job (with Russia),” the agent told BBC Radio.
.Late last night, Hiddink, who is at a training camp in Turkey with his Russia squad, confirmed he had not heard from Chelsea.
.“Right now I am preparing for dinner with the squad and don’t want to think about where or what people are saying about me or what the bookmakers believe,” he said.
.Former Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini have also been linked with the Stamford Bridge hot seat.
.Avram Grant — who also has a good relationship with Abramovich — has been reported as a contender to return as a caretaker manager after being dismissed by the Blues last May.
.Chelsea’s search for a replacement is thought to be focused on experienced coaches not currently in work, allowing the new man to take charge immediately. That would appear to rule out several potential contenders including West Ham’s Gianfranco Zola, Manchester City manager Mark Hughes, AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti and Hiddink.

source: The Guardian