Guus Hiddink finished his last game in charge at Stamford Bridge
with a 2-0 win over Blackburn - and left to the sound of Chelsea fans
calling for him to stay on as head coach.
However, the impassioned pleas for the club to sign up the experienced
Dutchman on a permanent basis were more in faint hope than genuine
expectation.
Indeed, chairman Bruce Buck suggested in the matchday programme
that a decision on a permanent successor was expected "sooner
rather than later'' - with AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said to
be the top target as he contemplates his own future after missing
out on the Serie A title to city rivals Inter.
Nevertheless, the way in which Chelsea - who won this afternoon
with a goal in each half from Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka
- have performed under the guidance of the Russia boss is a credit
to their professionalism as much as Hiddink's tactics and man-management
skills.
It is perhaps fitting that the farewell for the Dutchman, whose
best efforts could just not get close enough to wrestle the title
from Manchester United, yet came within moments of reaching the
Champions League final, is to come in the FA Cup final on May 30,
when the Blues faithful will get to say their goodbyes at Wembley.
By then the new Chelsea manager is likely to have been announced
as Buck aims to put the right man in place to secure "trophy
after trophy next season and beyond'' for Roman Abramovich's club.
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