Daily News Channel
Former Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has claimed that he was forced out of the English club because several players did not support him. The Brazilian was sacked in February after an unhappy eight-month spell in London and temporarily replaced by Russia coach Guus Hiddink. The 60-year-old, who is now in charge of Uzbekistan club Bunyodkor, singled out Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba, Germany midfielder Michael Ballack and Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech as problem players
Chelsea said on Tuesday that they had been given permission to talk with Guus Hiddink about taking charge at the Premier League club until the end of the season. The Dutchman has emerged as the clear favorite to replace the sacked Luis Felipe Scolari, but his involvement with the Russian national team is a stumbling block.
Chelsea began their hunt for a successor to Luiz Felipe Scolari on Tuesday with Guus Hiddink and former boss Avram Grant the early favorites to replace the sacked Brazilian. Russia coach Hiddink was odds-on with most English bookmakers with Grant also reported to be in the running, just eight months after departing Stamford Bridge following Chelsea’s defeat to Manchester United in the Champions League final. Dutchman Hiddink has an impeccable record in club and international football and his agent Cees van Nieuwenhuizen told BBC Radio Tuesday that he would be open to an offer from Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich