ShareFormer Chelsea assistant first-team coach Ray Wilkins believes Guus Hiddink would have 'no problems' slotting back in as manager at Stamford Bridge although whether the likes of Mark Hughes or Marco van Basten would accept playing second fiddle as a number two remains to be seen.
The Dutchman, who enjoyed a successful spell as caretaker in 2009, is said to be the preferred choice of owner Roman Abramovich to replace Carlo Ancelotti - axed at the end of the season a year after leading the Blues to an historic Double.
Hiddink, 64, is currently on holiday and is understood to be considering his expected exit from the Turkish national team - which is reported to hold a ?4million compensation package - to take up a role with the Blues.
Jobs for boys: Ray Wilkins has backed Guus Hiddink to slot straight back into the grove at Chelsea
However, just what that is set to be has yet to be established, and could develop into a sporting director position - which used to be held by Frank Arnesen - with Hiddink working above a younger coach, such as van Basten or Hughes, theformer Chelsea striker who last week quit his job at west London neighbours Fulham.
Wilkins was on the backroom staff with Luiz Felipe Scolari, Hiddink and then Ancelotti before his unpopular departure in November 2010 when it was announced the former midfielder's contract would not be renewed.
The 54-year-old feels Hiddink would certainly need little transition back into the hotseat.
Close allies: Hiddink undertook an advisory role for Roman Abramovich since leaving Stamford Bridge in 2009
'Guus obviously knows the guys from being there a couple of years ago and won the FA Cup as well as reachingthe semi-finals of the Champions League,' Wilkins told Sky Sports News.'He knows the ins and outs of Stamford Bridge, so from that aspect I would say Guus would be a first-class appointment.
'I am saddened by the fact that Carlois no longer there, but if they are going to get someone in, then Guus knows the guys, the way they work, their mentality and I don't think he would have a problem.'
Wilkins, though, is not sold on the idea of another coach working underneath a sporting director.
He added: 'If we are talking about someone like Mark Hughes or Marco van Basten going in with Guus, I am not quite sure whether that works, purely and simply because they are manager themselves.
Born winner: As well as a European Cup and six Eredivisie titles with PSV Eindhoven, Hiddink oversaw Chelsea's FA Cup 2009 victory
'I don't think that works too well, but that is entirely up to club what they wish to do, but I would certainly say if they are going to get Guus as the main man, then there is really no problem with that whatsoever.'
Chelsea are set to return to pre-season training on July 4 ahead of games against Vitesse Arnhem and Portsmouth before heading off to the Asia Trophy.
Whoever is in charge next season willhave to make sure Chelsea do not suffer another mid-term dip in form which proved so costly.
Goalkeeper Petr Cech told Chelsea TV Online: 'In the last two months we had been winning and you could see the team had the quality to defend the title, but unfortunately that dipin December and January cost us.
Links: Both Mark Hughes and Marco van Basten have been linked to the vacancy
'You know that you can't win everything all the time, but on the other hand with the quality we had, we had much more potential to be fulfilled this season, so that is always a disappointment.'
Cech added: 'Ray leaving must have been a bit of a coincidence as well, because you cannot just blame the departure of one coach on everything which is not right because the manager stayed, the other people were here.
'The quality of the training was the same, the players were the same and it did not work, so it is not only about one person leaving the club, although everybody liked Ray.
'It was about us not performing well and it took us a while to come through that, which can happen - but unfortunately not if you want to win something.'
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?Explore more:People: Frank Arnesen, Petr Cech, Mark Hughes, Roman Abramovich, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Carlo Ancelotti Places: London
Source: Daily Mail
Source: Daily Mail