Thursday 17 December 2015 17:17, UK
We look at the leading candidates to be the next Chelsea manager following Jose Mourinho's sacking.
The Portuguese was sacked on Thursday following Chelsea's ninth defeat of the season to Leicester on Monday Night Football, leaving owner Roman Ambramovic searching for a new manager for the 10th time.
Here's a look at the favourites for the job according to Sky Bet's odds on the next Chelsea manager, be it interim or permanently…
Guus Hiddink
Hiddink has been backed into favourite for the job amid suggestions he will be brought in on an interim basis for a second time. The Dutchman previously replaced Luis Felipe Scolari in 2009, taking on the post on a short-term basis as he remained committed to Russia, losing just one match in charge as the Blues reached the Champions League semi-finals, going out on away goals to Barcelona, and won the FA Cup. The 69-year-old is available for a return to Stamford Bridge having left his post as Netherlands manager during their doomed Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.
Juande Ramos
The 61-year-old Spaniard is a somewhat surprising name on the list but attracted early backing after his agent was reportedly spotted in London. Initial suggestions are that the former Tottenham boss is a contender to take over on an interim basis. Ramos is also out of work after leaving Ukrainian side Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk.
Pep Guardiola
Suggestions that Chelsea will appoint an interim manager are fuelled by Guardiola's potential availability in the summer. Reports in Germany suggest the Spaniard has already informed Bayern Munich that he will not be renewing his contact which expires at the end of the season, despite the probability of landing a third successive title. Mourinho's departure opens up the possibility for the Blues to approach Guardiola if he becomes available, with Premier League rivals Manchester City and Manchester United also reportedly interested in securing his services. Indeed, while he is 12/1 to take the job now, Chelsea are currently 7/4 second favourites in betting on Guardiola's next club, with Manchester City 8/13 favourites.
Diego Simeone
The former Argentina midfielder has enjoyed a fine period as Atletico Madrid boss, breaching the hegemony of Barcelona and rivals Real Madrid with an attractive style, while beating Chelsea in the UEFA Super Cup and Champions League in the process. The Blues have looked to Atletico for players, now for a manager?
Brendan Rodgers
Like Hiddink and Ramos, Rodgers is available to step in without costing the Blues additional compensation, having been sacked by Liverpool in October. Whether the 42-year-old would be keen to take an interim role remains to be seen as he looks to rebuild his reputation following his Anfield exit.
John Terry
The club captain, now 35, has been reading management books for the last few years and recently had Sir Alex Ferguson's "Leading" for company on a flight back from a match. Some have argued Terry has been in charge of Chelsea for years... could be handed the opportunity to prove it?
